Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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376. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will explore ways of reducing local improvement scheme waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39104/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 current 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.