Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The LIS has not gone away. In fact, it has been revived. Since 2017, the Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated significant funds to it. In 2017, €17.539 million was allocated, €20.8 million in 2018 and €10 million so far in 2019, giving a total of €48 million. A very substantial amount of funding has been allocated to the LIS. The Deputy stated that not enough has been provided and he does not care from which Department the funding comes. I do not particularly care from which Department it comes. It is a worthy scheme. I understand the point being made by the Deputy. It would be wrong to suggest or conclude from what he is saying that the LIS has been abolished. As he is aware, funding for the LIS has been distributed by a Department other than mine. I reiterate that this is an anomaly. I promise to discuss the matter with the Minister, Deputy Ring, and ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken.

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