Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Transport has a large capital budget, which is far more than what I have in my Department. I have raised this matter with the Minister for Transport on a number of occasions and will continue to do so. The Department of Transport has a role in this area. I funded the additional money through savings in other areas in my Department. I have managed to do that over the past number of years but as projects in other funding areas, such as some of the other schemes I fund, fall due, there may not be as much money available from savings to allocate to the LIS. In the context of the budget and national delivery plan ceilings, I will be looking for more money for LIS. I guarantee that because it is so important. I know what it is like going up a rural road and, as I said to somebody the other day, you would hit your head in a tractor, never mind in a car because the holes are not good. It would do your heart good to see the video I got this evening of the new road finished. I am delighted. Everybody is happy and they are finished to a high quality. It is an important scheme. I know how important it is in rural areas. I will continue to support it.

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