Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1490. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has budgeted for the LIS scheme for 2023; the demand for the scheme; the financial allocation to date, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35687/23]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.
The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017 my Department has allocated over €113 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2022, over 3,700 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
From 2017 to 2022, a total of €7.36 million was allocated to County Cork which saw improvement works carried out on 186 roads. Additional funding of €20.5 million was allocated to the scheme over 2021 and 2022.
There is continued demand for the scheme and my Department reviews the scheme criteria each year prior to launch, including the mechanism for funding allocation. The prioritisation of roads for submission to my Department is a matter for each local authority in line with the Scheme Outline.
I continue to monitor expenditure within my Department to ascertain if savings will arise which would facilitate additional funding to the Local Improvement Scheme. I hope to make a further announcement in this regard shortly.
Finally, I am continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport regarding his Department contributing to a jointly funded Locally Improvement Scheme. I am committed to ensure that a well funded LIS continues in the coming years, in line with our commitments under Our Rural Future.
