Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1041. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities nationwide; if further funding will be allocated to clear backlogs of over ten years in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8331/20]

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 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 until I re-launched it in 2017. Since then, over €48 million has been allocated to the Local Authorities to deliver the scheme.

In March this year, I confirmed that a further €10 million is being made available for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2020, with each Local Authority being provided with the same financial allocation as 2019. This funding can be drawn down by the Local Authorities as works are completed on the LIS roads.

A number of Local Authorities have already determined the roads to be funded under the scheme this year and this information has been provided to my Department. My Department is currently reviewing the information and issuing  Funding Agreements to the relevant Local Authorities so that the works can commence on the roads in question.

Given the constraints imposed by COVID-19, the process of determining the roads to be funded is still underway in a number of other Local Authority areas.  However, I understand that process will be concluded in the coming weeks.