Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1537. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding that has been allocated to the local improvements scheme for 2018. [1210/18]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1545. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a budget has been set aside for the local improvement scheme in 2018; the intended budget for the scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1537 and 1545 together.

The Local Improvement Scheme supports improvement works on private, non-public roads, to improve access for people who live or work along those roads.

There has been very little funding available for this scheme in recent years due to constraints on public expenditure.  However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country.

I therefore announced the provision of €10 million to Local Authorities for a Local Improvement Scheme last September.  Based on demand and the capacity of Local Authorities to complete works before the end of 2017, I allocated an additional €7.4 million to Local Authorities for LIS roads at the end of November.

It is clear that there is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland, and I have therefore secured an allocation of €10 million for the scheme in my Department's Estimate for 2018.  I intend to announce details of the scheme shortly.