Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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248. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme; the number of applications that were received and approved, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25131/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme, or 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 makes an important contribution to connectivity, which I view as an important issue for rural Ireland, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities.

The Local Improvement Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. Between 2017 and 2022 , this has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

I launched the 2023 scheme in February with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our off shore Islands. This is the third consecutive year in which the basic allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme has been increased. I also announced the allocations for 2023 earlier than was the case in 2022 in order to give local authorities the most time possible to complete works on the ground.

The table below sets out the details on a county basis of the roads approved and completed in 2022 and approved to date in 2023.

LIS Roads approved in 2022 and 2023 to date