Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme 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 re-introduced in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023, my Department has allocated almost €130 million towards improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.

From 2017 to 2023, over €6.3 million has been allocated to Clare County Council to fund works carried out on over 149 roads. This is the sixth-highest allocation nationally. In 2023, over €1.37 million was allocated to Clare for repair and maintenance works on 22 roads benefiting 73 households.

Last year alone, almost €30 million in funding was allocated to local authorities across the country - a record investment under the Scheme and a total of €13.55 million has been earmarked to LIS in 2024, an increase of €1 million from the initial funding last year. My department is currently finalising the scheme details for the coming year, and I expect to be in a position to announce them imminently.

The selection of roads to be funded under the scheme is a matter for each local authority based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. Local authorities may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. I am aware, however, that there is a backlog of roads nationally awaiting repair under the scheme despite progress made in recent years. My officials continue to liaise closely with local authorities to ensure funds are utilised fully.

I will closely monitor the expenditure patterns in my Department, and should savings emerge, I will consider allocating additional funding to the scheme.

Finally, I have been engaging for some time with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding his department's potential contribution to a jointly funded Local Improvement Scheme.