Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if local authorities are required to make the local improvement scheme financial contribution for community-amenity LIS roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27406/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Improvement Scheme supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities.  I was delighted to announce record funding of €40 million for the Scheme in April of this year, which demonstrates the importance my Department attaches to maximising the impact of the scheme for rural dwellers.

Roads eligible under the Scheme include amenity roads.  These are non-public roads leading to essential community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountain access points, other tourist/heritage sites, or any other non-public road that, in the opinion of the local authority, is necessary for use by the public.

A component of the scheme's delivery is a local contribution made by the beneficiaries towards the cost of the improvement works on a non-public road deemed eligible by the local authority. This ranges between 10% - 15% and is capped at €1,200 per beneficiary. A 15% local contribution is required in the case of amenity roads and the relevant local authority is responsible for paying this contribution.

However, if there are other beneficiaries on an amenity road, the local authority may seek a portion of their local contribution, subject to a cap of €1,200. This is at the discretion of each local authority as per the terms of the Scheme.