Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I thank my local colleague, Senator Conway from County Clare, for raising this important matter.

The LIS, which we all know as the local road improvement scheme, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is administered through the local authorities. The Minister has asked me to assure the Senator that she understands just how important the scheme is for the people of Clare, for rural areas, and for farm families in particular. There is no other source of funding for these roads, which provide vital access to agricultural lands and rural homes. The Senator referenced the region where he lives in Clare.

The scheme is also used to fund non-public roads leading to important community amenities, such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountain access points or other tourist heritage sites. As part of Our Rural Future, the national rural development policy, the Government has committed to increasing the level of investment in the repair of non-public roads through the LIS. Despite the progress that has been made, a significant backlog of roads awaiting repair remains. The Senator clearly indicated that in his county, 146 applications have been approved and another 20 are being considered. That is a total of 166. Is that figure correct?