Written answers
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Departmental Funding
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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279. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will prioritise an application by a school (details supplied) under the local enhancement programme 2024; when the funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22273/24]
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Last December, the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) was launched, with capital funding of €6 million to assist community groups across the country. The LEP is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most.
The Programme also included a special ring-fenced fund of €1,000,000 to support Women’s Groups, in recognition of the growing numbers of Women’s Sheds, Groups and networks around the country.
There was a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The Local Enhancement Programme is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. The relevant LCDC receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities.
The Local Enhancement Programme is now closed to applicants and Department officials are currently assessing details of the successful applicants. Details of successful projects will be published on the Department’s website, www.gov.ie/drcd, in the coming weeks.
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce specific funding provision in her Department's Estimates for the local improvement scheme in view of the long delays in having such roads brought up to a proper standard for local residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22080/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, my government is committed to ensuring that LIS is funded into the future.
Since the re-introduction of the Scheme in 2017, my department has allocated almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. Up to the end of 2023, this has upgraded over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefitting nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
While my Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by local authorities. They are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads and to decide whether or not to open the scheme to new applicants or to focus on existing lists. Despite progress made under the scheme in recent years, a backlog of roads awaiting repair remains.
In an effort to address the backlog of roads awaiting repair, I have ensured that the base funding for the scheme has increased year on year, and recently announced €40 million in funding to cover work under the scheme across 2024 and 2025.
Local authorities have until November to complete works and draw down their 2024 funding. They can then submit their 2025 priority lists in January 2025 to ensure that as much time as possible is allowed for the completion of works. This will allow local authorities to plan more effectively for work to be carried out in the medium term, thus facilitating better delivery on the ground.
My priority is to address the backlog as quickly as possible, as I understand the importance of the scheme for rural residents.
Finally, I am continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding his Department's potential contribution to a jointly funded Local Improvement Scheme.
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