Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a dedicated, separately funded local improvement scheme will be restored to county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32672/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) 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 at present, 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.

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 will 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 Local Improvement Schemes, I will be raising the issue of increased funding in the context of the planned Review of the Capital Plan.