Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which his Department allocates funding to counties under the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19322/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I reintroduced dedicated funding for the Local Improvement Scheme in September 2017 after a gap of 8 years. This scheme is a lifeline for people living in rural areas because it directly improves their access to and from their family homes and farms, and has made a huge difference for rural communities around the country.

I launched the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme in February of this year, with an indicative allocation of €10.8 million.

County allocations under the 2018 LIS programme were calculated taking into consideration the funding available and the size of the county. In addition, a minimum allocation of €250,000 and a maximum cap of €1 million were applied in the distribution model.

The selection of the roads to benefit under the scheme is entirely a matter for the relevant County Councils to decide, in line with the scheme criteria. I have now published the details of over 400 roads selected by County Councils for improvement works this year on the basis of their 2018 allocations. Details of the roads in question are available on my Department's website at:

.