To ask the Minister for Infrastructure how much capital money has she bid for in the June monitoring round to progress the road improvements identified in the Ards Peninsula coastal roads survey that identified a number of priority sections of coastal road that needed upgrading.

I am assuming the report the Member is referring to is the Ards Peninsula Sea Walls Condition and Repair Cost Report (dated March 2018).

The funding of works to protect coastal roads in the Ards Peninsula and elsewhere is not bid for separately but rather forms part of my overall capital budget allocation. Coastal Defence works programmes have to compete for funding along with the many other priorities within the Department as well as the Executive.

I recognise the importance of investment in the road infrastructure including coastal protection issues. My officials are currently assessing the financial position and developing programmes and any schemes to be carried out this year in the Ards peninsula will be included in the Department's Spring report which will in due course be presented to Ards and North Down Council.