Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will consider increasing the funding under the local improvement schemes allocated to County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9041/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.

The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas. During this period a total of €4.9 million was allocated to County Clare which saw improvement works carried out on 127 roads.

I launched the 2023 scheme earlier this month with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated €597,910 to County Clare bringing their total allocation since the scheme was reintroduced to over €5.53 million.

I have increased the funding for the Local Improvement Scheme each year since 2021 and allocated an additional €20.5 million during 2021 and 2022 towards the scheme. I will continue to review expenditure within my own Department and maintain contact with my colleague the Minister for Transport with a view to securing additional funding towards the Local Improvement Scheme.