Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, up until 2012 the local improvement scheme had a substantial and specific funding stream. Unfortunately, that ceased at that time. As we know the local improvement scheme provides for the upgrading of more minor local roads which are particularly important for rural communities. At present, most counties have a significant backlog of such roads in need of urgent attention. There is a limited scheme at present, but we need substantial investment by the line Department on an annual basis to ensure this backlog is eliminated as soon as possible.

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