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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue - an issue that is close to my heart too.

The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and lane-ways 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 almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

From 2017 to 2022, a total of €6.2 million was allocated to County Kerry, which resulted in improvement works carried out on 173 roads. This is the fifth highest allocation nationally. Within each county's allocation, the prioritisation of roads for submission to my Department is a matter for local authorities in line with the scheme outline.

I launched the 2023 scheme in February with an increase in funding to €12 million. I also announced an additional €550,000 for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated almost €800,000 to County Kerry bringing its allocation since 2017 to more than €7 million.

I will continue to monitor expenditure within my Department and should savings emerge, I will give consideration to allocating additional funding to the scheme. Indeed, I have recently asked all local authorities to inform my Department as to how many more projects they could deliver this year, should any such funding become available.

I am committed to ensuring that a well-funded LIS remains in place to deliver on the commitments contained in Our Rural Future.

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