Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the limits he has put on the costings for administration by local authorities on works to be carried out under the local improvement schemes to ensure as many roads as possible are repaired under the scheme to the highest standard possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42038/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On 21st September, I announced the provision of €10 million for a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).  This is a nation-wide scheme which supports improvement works on private and non-public roads.

My Department wrote to Local Authorities in August to establish the level of demand for an LIS scheme this year. The Local Authorities were advised that any requests for funds would be subject to their capacity to complete any proposed works in 2017, and funding availability. All local authorities were also notified that the scheme was subject to the rules laid out in the Local Improvement Scheme Memorandum issued by the then Department of the Environment and Local Government in 2002.

In relation to County Councils’ allowable administrative expenses, the Memorandum outlines that such expenses shall be such sum not exceeding 15% of the net cost as apportioned by the Council in respect of engineering and office staff, office accommodation and stationary.

“Net cost” covers the cost of labour (including gangers and supervisors), materials and equipment.  It should not include any sum for compensation or land or rights of way required for the purpose of undertaking a project.

All works carried out under the LIS should be to the required standards and my Department will be monitoring all expenditure and conducting sample inspections to ensure the work is completed as detailed in the project submissions.