Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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641. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed regarding the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9859/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As regards the provision of matching funding for Local Improvement Schemes (LIS), the grant allocations for 2018 issued at the end of January and do not make provision for LIS this year.  In taking that approach I was conscious both of the significant and welcome funding Minister Ring's Department is putting into LIS and of the continuing pressing need to direct resources into maintaining and renewing roads taken in charge. I am also conscious that the LIS is complemented by other streams of funding within the ambit of the Department of Rural and Community Development including CLÁR funding for small scale capital projects in rural areas - including private roads - that have experienced significant levels of depopulation.

In this context I have followed through on two important action areas by providing ring-fenced funding for the Community Involvement Scheme and for Drainage Schemes.  I have set aside €10 million for each of these programmes.