Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 835 of 14 April 2016, if he will identify any schemes or options for funding available within his Department, apart from the local improvement scheme, to commence urgently needed repair works at a location (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7842/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As I outlined in my reply to PQ 6630/16 of 14 April 2016, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

As regards works on a private road there is a mechanism, subject to conditions, under the Discretionary Grant programme for local authorities to use some grant funding for such LIS works.  Any decision to do so rests with the local authority and no other funding is available for such works from this Department.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided by his Department to Carlow County Council for the local improvement scheme; when the scheme will open for applications for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/16]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided by his Department to Kilkenny County Council for the local improvement scheme; when the scheme will open for applications for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7844/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.

As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 6630/16 of 14 April 2016, the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for road and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge, that is, private roads and laneways.  The maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. 

On 26 January 2016, I announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations for all local authorities Including Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils.  Local authorities were informed (through Circular RW 1/2016) that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place for 2016 however there is no separate allocation available towards this grant category. Instead local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant for LIS should they wish to do so. 

As the Local Improvement Scheme is managed locally, it is a matter for the local authority to prioritise works according to resources.