Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1723. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the further schemes he plans rolling out under the CLÁR scheme in 2017; if this will include a local improvement scheme element; if so, if there will be co-funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37289/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have allocated a total of €7 million to projects right across the country under four separate Measures of the CLÁR programme this year.  I currently do not plan to roll out any further schemes under the CLÁR programme in 2017. 

However, I am currently in the process of examining the possibility of introducing a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2017 to support the maintenance and improvement of non-public roads and laneways, many of which are in CLÁR areas.  In this regard, my Department wrote to relevant Local Authorities recently to establish the level of demand for such a scheme and the capacity of the Local Authorities to complete works under a scheme by the end of this year.

Local Authorities were asked to provide information to my Department by 14 September to assist me in making an informed decision regarding the potential impact and feasibility of introducing an LIS.  It is not possible to extend this deadline if decisions are to be made around the possibility of introducing a scheme this year and making funding available quickly from the 2017 funding envelope.

I will consider the position in full on receipt of the information requested from the Local Authorities.