Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to counties Carlow and Kilkenny under the local improvement scheme in 2017; his plans to announce a new local improvement scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25803/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non-public roads. The scheme is currently funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.

In 2017, I allocated a total of €440,460 to Carlow County Council under LIS. An initial allocation  of €250,000 was made in September and a further allocation of €190,460 was made to Carlow in November, on foot of savings elsewhere in my Department's Vote.

I allocated a total of €605,565 to County Kilkenny under the LIS in 2017.  €315,000 was allocated under the first round of funding in September, and a further €290,565 was allocated in November. 

Following on from the launch of the 2017 scheme, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February this year, with an allocation of €10.8 million for the scheme nationally.

County Carlow was allocated €250,000 under the 2018 scheme, and County Kilkenny was allocated €315,000, in line with their original 2017 allocations. 

As part of the 2018 LIS scheme, I also requested each County Council to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which they would be able to complete if additional funding becomes available for the scheme later in the year. I will be monitoring the situation in the context of my Department's overall expenditure performance over the coming months.

Detailed information regarding the 2018 projects selected by Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils for LIS improvement works can be found on the Rural Development pages of my Department’s website.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount allocated under local improvement scheme in 2018, both nationally and in County Louth; if there will be an additional round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25856/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am very pleased to see the strong level of interest in the Local Improvement Scheme since I re-launched the scheme last September.  For many years, there was no dedicated funding for LIS, due to the constraints on the public finances.  However, the level of interest in this House, at County Council level, and from residents who live on LIS roads, shows the underlying need for the programme in rural areas where people need good access to houses, farmlands and amenities.

In September 2017, following a number of years with no dedicated funding for LIS, I approved €10 million for the scheme nationally. I allocated a further €7.4 million to the scheme from savings elsewhere in my Department's Vote at the end of November 2017. The total amount allocated to the scheme in 2017 was €17.4 million, which included an allocation of €250,000 for County Louth.

Following on from the successful re-launch of the scheme in 2017, I announced details of the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme on 27th February last. I have allocated an initial amount of €10.8 million to County Councils across the country this year under the scheme. The 2018 funding includes an allocation to Louth County Council of €250,000.

It is a matter for each County Council to decide which roads to prioritise for works from the funding allocated to them under LIS, and to ensure that all roads meet with the scheme criteria.  A local contribution is also made towards the cost of the improvement works.

Detailed information regarding the 2018 roads selected by the Louth County Council for improvement works can be found on the Rural Development pages of my Department’s website.

As part of the 2018 LIS scheme, I also requested each County Council to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which they could complete if additional funding becomes available for the scheme later in the year.  I will be monitoring the situation in the context of my Department's overall expenditure performance over the coming months.