Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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525. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to immediately provide funding for the commencement of the local improvement schemes in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16724/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place this year. This Scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2016, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant which is €506,390 in the case of Kerry County Council) for LIS should they wish to do so. In addition Councils can also provide monies from their own resources towards LIS.

The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, on an annual basis. A major objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.