Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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870. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the reopening of the local improvement scheme for 2021; the level of funding available for Tipperary County Council for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41327/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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.

Since the LIS was re-launched in 2017, over €58 million has been allocated to Local Authorities for improvements to qualifying roads under the scheme.

An allocation of €10 million was made available in 2020 for the Local Improvement Scheme, and works under the scheme are nearing completion. I expect a full draw down of the 2020 allocation by year-end.

Recognising the value of the scheme for people living in rural areas, I was secured an increase in the allocation for LIS in Budget 2021.  Funding for the scheme next year will increase by 5%, to €10.5 million.  The distribution of this funding to each of the relevant Local Authorities, including in Tipperary, will be announced early next year when I formally launch the scheme for 2021.