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

I take every opportunity to put any extra resources I have in my Department into the local improvement scheme, and I will tell the House why. When I was growing up I lived on a lane that was one mile long and full of potholes. There was some scheme at that stage as well and eventually the lane got repaired, but I know what it is like. When you are on a bicycle trying to avoid potholes, it is not easy. I have continued to build on the investment we got then. In fact, since 2017, my Department, which is only a small Department, has provided €130 million. All I can say to the House is that the review of the national development fund will be coming up shortly and I will be looking to increase the funding for the LIS. It is €12 million for next year and, as I said, any savings I have had I have lorried into the local improvement scheme because nobody knows better than I do what it is like to live on a long lane. I know what it is like trying to get the milk lorry in to collect the milk and it not being able to get in. I understand, too, the difficulties presented by the flooding, and Deputy Ó Murchú will be glad to know I will be back up in Carlingford again tomorrow.

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