Written answers

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Department of Rural and Community Development

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1096. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities throughout the country; if he will allocate more funding to clear backlogs of over 10 years in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/20]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, 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 then, over €48 million has been allocated to the Local Authorities to deliver the scheme. This resulted in over 2,000 road projects being approved for works.   

In 2019, I allocated €10 million to the LIS from my Department's Vote.  It is intended that the scheme will be funded again this year, and a budget of €10 million has been secured for this purpose in 2020.  The 2020 scheme will be announced in due course and the level of funding to be provided to each Local Authority will be confirmed at that stage. 

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