Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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323. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the local improvement scheme allocations for 2017; and his plans for a similar programme in 2018. [2583/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development include a commitment to investment in the Local Improvement Scheme which 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 for a Local Improvement Scheme in September, and 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. A table is appended, setting out allocations to each county under each round of the scheme in 2017.

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.

My Department's funding of Local Improvement Scheme is made in the context of my remit to improve the quality of life for people living in rural areas.  Overall responsibility for roads policy remains with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.