Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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648. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which Kildare County Council can apply for and obtain funding under the local improvement scheme in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42418/17]

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, including Kildare Co. Council, in August to establish the level of demand for an LIS scheme this year. The Local Authorities were advised that any request for funds would be subject to their capacity to complete the proposed works in 2017, and funding availability.

Kildare Co. Council indicated that they would not be requesting funding under the LIS for 2017.

The level of funding available for the LIS scheme in 2018 will be considered in the context of the 2018 Budget and Estimates process.  If funding for the scheme is available in 2018, I anticipate that the scheme will again be open to applications from all eligible Local Authorities, including Kildare Co. Council.