Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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3445. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided in 2021 for the local improvement scheme in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40274/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for works on rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. It is funded by my Department and is administered through the relevant Local Authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland

I launched the 2021 LIS on 14th May with funding of €10.5 million. This represented a 5% increase compared to last year.

I am very pleased to confirm that I recently announced a further €10.5 million to bring the level of funding to €21 million. This means that the level of funding is being doubled this year compared to the original allocation. This increase will be funded from expected savings elsewhere in my Department. I am also continuing to engage with my colleague, Minister Ryan, to explore the potential for further financial support from his Department.

My Department is currently ascertaining the capacity of each Local Authority to deliver additional works on foot of the increased funding and I will be in a position to announce revised county allocations shortly.

This announcement will mean almost €80 million will have been allocated under the Local Improvement Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving connectivity in rural Ireland as outlined in Our Rural Future.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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3446. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that has been allocated by her Department for projects and initiatives in County Tipperary over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40498/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department was established in 2017 and funds a range of programmes and schemes to assist in rural and community development which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country.

My Department was allocated €341 million in the 2021 Revised Estimates, this ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects.

The amount allocated by my Department for urban and rural development and renewal purposes in 2020 and 2021 is as follows, €314 million in 2020, and €209 million to date in 2021.

Tipperary was allocated €10.7 million in 2020, and €7.1 million to date in 2021. This funding includes the following:

- Rural Regeneration and Development Fund - €3.5 million in 2021 to date, €1.6 million in 2020

- LEADER - €687,000 in 2021 to date, €2.5 million in 2020

- Local Improvement Scheme - €620,000 in 2021 to date, €560,000 in 2020

- Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) - €1.2 million in 2021 to date, €1.2 million in 2020

- Community Services Programme - €729,000 in 2021 to date, €732,000 in 2020

- Community Enhancement Programme - €150,000 in 2021 to date, €68,000 in 2020 (plus €189,000 allocation through the Community Enhancement Programme for Community Centres/Facilities, Government July Stimulus Package)

Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available online at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/