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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 12 together.

As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring the LIS is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution the scheme makes to connectivity in rural areas.

LIS was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding. Since then, almost €130 million has been allocated towards repair works on approximately 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefiting more than 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas. In 2023 alone, I allocated almost €30 million in funding for the scheme. This is the third consecutive year in which funding allocated to the scheme has increased. This reflects the priority that I have afforded to it in recent years.

My Department works closely with local authorities to ensure that allocations are fully utilised each year. While my Department funds LIS, it is administered by local authorities, which prioritise road projects and establish eligibility as per section 81 of the Local Government Act 2001. However, there is a waiting list of roads to be completed nationwide. Some 3,500 roads were listed as on hands by local authorities in June of this year. My officials continue to engage with local authorities on the management of this waiting list. For example, works completed under this year's scheme are not reflected as the end-of-year claims process is ongoing and lists across local authorities are not compiled in a uniform manner.

It is also important to note that not all these road projects can be delivered in the short to medium term. This arises for a variety of reasons, including the availability of contractors to undertake the work and the historical nature of some of the applications on hand.

Recent inclement weather has reminded us about the importance of measures to address the impact of flooding. While my Department is pleased to support efforts to ensure a high standard of roads in rural areas, primary responsibility for the upkeep and repair of public roads remains within the remit of the local authorities and the Department of Transport. Flood relief initiatives and associated schemes are funded via the Office of Public Works and local authorities. I have, however, instructed my officials to provide flexibility on completion dates for LIS works this year for those counties most impacted by flooding issues.

I have continued to engage with my colleague the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in an effort to secure further financial support for LIS from his Department. While the Department of Transport has not indicated that it will make a contribution to the funding of the scheme, I will continue to work with local authorities to ensure the scheme continues to deliver real benefits in rural communities throughout Ireland.

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