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

Given the value of the scheme for people living in rural areas, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, was pleased to be in a position to increase the allocation for the LIS in 2023 alone to almost €30 million. This is a record investment that signifies her commitment to the scheme. More than €120 million has been invested in the LIS since 2017. The figure I have for the allocation to Clare in 2023 is €1.33 million.That was used on 22 schemes. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will announce the 2024 allocations shortly. Her Department officials work closely with local authorities to ensure funds are utilised fully to ensure as many roads as possible are completed each year. The selection of roads to be funded under the scheme is a matter for each local authority based on the priority or condition of particular LIS roads in their county.

In recent years, when savings were identified in the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Minister announced a further round of funding later in the year. Officials in the Department are currently finalising the terms of the 2024 local improvement scheme and an announcement will be made imminently, with every effort being made to address the backlog of roads awaiting repair under the scheme. That currently stands at more than 3,400 roads nationally. Senator Conway's big concern is the people of County Clare, where there are 166 schemes outstanding at the moment. The Minister also confirmed that numerous contacts have been made with our colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, in an effort to implement a co-funded scheme, which would go a long way to addressing the backlog.