Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1732. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the need for additional funding to be made available for the local improvement scheme (details supplied); the steps he is taking to address funding deficits in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36558/19]

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.

As the Deputy is aware, there was no dedicated funding 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 reintroduced the LIS in September 2017.

Since then, I have allocated €48 million for improvement works on more than 1,200 roads across the country, including €10 million earlier this year. Funding allocations, on a county by county basis, can be found on the Gov.ie website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/.

I will be closely monitoring expenditure on my Department's programmes over the coming months and any decisions regarding the possibility of further funding for the LIS will be made in that context. The question of funding for the LIS in 2020 will be considered as part of the annual Budgetary process.