Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1014. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the LIS scheme is now closed to new applications in a location (details supplied) due to a 15-year application backlog; his plans to invest further in such areas to clear the backlogs on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44325/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I reintroduced the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in September 2017, after a number of years when no dedicated funding was available for the scheme. Since then, I have allocated over €48 million to Local Authorities under the scheme for improvement works on non-public roads.

The number and location of roads to benefit from improvement works under the LIS is a matter for the Local Authorities, as are the arrangements for inviting applications under the scheme.

Since 2017, I have allocated over €1.1 million to the County Council referred to by the Deputy for the completion of works on almost 60 LIS roads. This includes an allocation of €250,000 in 2019, which has not yet been drawn down by the Local Authority concerned. Funding can only be drawn down on the basis of works completed.

I am aware of the importance of the LIS to many people who live in rural Ireland, and I have secured funding for the scheme again in 2020. The amount to be allocated to each Local Authority will be announced when the scheme is launched next year.