Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the reopening of the community involvement scheme for 2021; the level of funding available for Tipperary County Council for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is based on community contributions within the range of 15% to 30% and the purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. 

Following the introduction of ring-fenced funding for a CIS programme in 2018, it was decided to provide funding over a two year period 2018/2019 so as to give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme. Towards the end of 2019, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for CIS for another two year programme for the period 2020/2021.  Funding will be provided in 2021 to complete the projects provided for in this funding round.  The allocation for Tipperary will be announced early next year as part of the general grant allocation process.

It is expected that further applications for future CIS projects will be sought later in 2021.