Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

276. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress as provided under the programme for Government with respect to the local improvement scheme and the commitment to have scheme up and running by end 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31371/16]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

281. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress as provided under the programme for Government on capital budget for local and regional roads and the commitment to increase this budget by approximately 50%; the capital expenditure that has been allocated for 2017 and in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31379/16]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 281 together.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place. 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) for LIS should they wish to do so.

While 2017 will see a modest increase in funding for roads, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for regional and local roads. The primary focus in 2017 will, therefore, have to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads.  I do, however, expect that local authorities will continue to be able to use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the local improvement scheme.

In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for regional and local roads, I will be raising the issue of increased funding in the context of the planned Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan.