Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ward for his question.

11 o’clock

As members are aware, the LIS is an important support for rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities under the scheme. In April of last year, some €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024 and 2025. Department officials have recently opened the 2025 LIS and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads for completion in 2025.

Since 2020, Donegal County Council has been allocated over €8.3 million in scheme funding. This figure includes an allocation of €2.79 million for last year and this year. The 2025 return from the council detailing the works it will undertake this year is due to be submitted to my Department shortly. I believe 224 roads have been completed in County Donegal.

As the Deputy will appreciate with regard to the areas he mentioned, rather than being allocated on a municipal district basis, scheme funding is allocated on a local authority basis and authorities themselves decide on allocations across their areas. In terms of annual funding allocations, a review of the scheme is carried out by the Department ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure allocations across local authorities are made as fairly and efficiently as possible. Department officials, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I work closely with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised. I am, as is the Minister, Deputy Calleary, committed to ensuring the LIS continues to be well funded in the coming years.

As we all know, it is a fantastic scheme. It is one that many want to avail of. The Government, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I are very committed to engaging to ensure we receive, as we have done year-on-year, an increase in scheme funding. As regards Donegal, the allocation for this year has not yet been submitted.

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