Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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682. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation for the local improvement scheme in 2017 and 2018. [31802/18]

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 which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is currently funded by my Department and administered through relevant Local Authorities.

On 21st September 2017, I allocated €10 million in funding for the Local Improvement Scheme, following a number of years when no dedicated funding was available for the scheme. Based on demand for the scheme and the capacity of Local Authorities to complete further works before the end of the year, I allocated an additional €7.4 million for LIS roads in November 2017. 

I launched the 2018 LIS scheme in February this year, with an indicative allocation of €10.8 million to relevant Local Authority.

In total, I have allocated over €28 million in LIS funding since September 2017, and over 1,100 individual roads will benefit.

As part of the 2018 scheme I also requested Local Authorities to compile a secondary list of suitable LIS road projects which they could complete if additional funding becomes available under my Department's Vote later in the year. I will keep the matter under consideration in the context of my Department's overall expenditure performance over the coming months.