Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1708. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend funding to the local improvement scheme in 2015 in view of the value for money and significant improvements recent funding of the community involvement scheme has brought about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge.  However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. There is no separate allocation for the LIS.  Instead, local authorities may use up to 15% (up from 7% in 2013) of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes remains at 20% of the total cost of the project.

Details of the 2014 regional and local roads grants were communicated to local authorities on 24 January this year. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources.

The above position is likely to extend into 2015. Some local authorities want the LIS while others prefer to put the funding into public roads. I think this decision is best made at a local level.