Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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66. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme nationally; his plans to increase funding to clear backlogs on waiting lists for the scheme over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/19]

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

There was no dedicated funding available for this scheme for a number of 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 and I re-launched the scheme in 2017.

Since the reintroduction of the scheme I have allocated over €48 million to the LIS, which has led to the completion of over 1,400 roads to date.

On 7th February last I launched the 2019 LIS and allocated a sum of €10 million to Local Authorities under the scheme. Decisions on the number and location of roads to benefit from improvement works in 2019 is a matter for the relevant Local Authority.

Funding allocations on a county by county basis can be found on the Gov.ie website at the following link:.

It is clear that there is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland. Funding for the scheme is determined as part of the annual Estimates process.