Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works in conjunction with local authorities have the primary responsibility for preventive and emergency flood relief measures. Other Government Departments including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have also developed measures following the exceptional flooding in 2023 such as the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme and the Enhanced Emergency Business Flooding Scheme which provided support to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations who were unable to secure flood insurance and were affected by flooding in Counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Louth.

Under the remit of my Department of Rural and Community Development, the Local Improvement Scheme supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future.

The scheme was re-introduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, this Department has allocated almost €130 million towards improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted over 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.

In 2023 alone, a record investment of almost €30 million was allocated to Local Authorities across the country. Of this figure €422,764 was allocated to Louth County Council to complete works on its list of priority roads.

I am glad to confirm that the allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2024 is €13.55 million, an increase of €1 million on the initial funding allocated in 2023. In the interests of giving local authorities the maximum amount of time to carry out works on LIS roads I intend to announce the 2024 scheme imminently. My officials will be in contact with local authorities regarding the detail of the scheme as soon as it is announced.