Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of funding for the local improvement scheme in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50428/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Since I reintroduced the Local Improvement Scheme in September 2017, I have allocated over €48 million to the Local Authorities for improvement works on private and non-public roads, including €10 million for 2019.

I have secured €10 million in funding under Budget 2020 to continue the scheme next year.  However, I also want to review the scheme to ensure that it operates as effectively as possible for the people who use the roads on a daily basis.  

This year, I introduced a cap on the level of contribution which any individual householder or landowner is asked to contribute to the cost of repairs to their roads.  However, I am still seeing wide variations in the cost of completing these works across Local Authorities. 

I am committed to continuing my support for rural communities in 2020 under the LIS, and I intend to announce a new round of funding next year when I have reviewed how the scheme has operated to date.  I want to ensure that we get the best value for the taxpayers' money which is funding the scheme.

The exact level of funding to be provided to each Local Authority will be confirmed when the scheme is announced.