Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1754. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a bog road scheme for the repair of roads for turf cutters who are struggling to access their bogs to cut them and transport turf to market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24653/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not clear if the bog road programme being proposed by the Deputy would comprise public or private roads.  If it is the former (that is, funding for the repair of a public road), local authorities may fund such works through the Restoration Improvement, Restoration Maintenance, Discretionary Grant, the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) or from its own resources.

If it is the latter (that is, funding for the repair of a private road), the Local Improvement Scheme remains in place for such works.  That 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) 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 CIS and LIS 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 CIS and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.