James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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263. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the quantity of herd numbers required when applying for the local improvement scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Improvement Scheme supports works on non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. While my Department outlines the terms and conditions for the Scheme each year, it is administered locally by each local authority who select and prioritise roads for inclusion in the Scheme

In advance of the Scheme opening each year, the terms and conditions of the scheme are reviewed by my Department. As part of this process, a change was introduced in 2024 which removed a requirement that at least two parcels of land linked to road eligibility demonstrate the presence of an agricultural activity. This requirement now applies to just one of the parcels of land linked to road eligibility. It should also be noted that evidence of agricultural activity is not solely limited to herd numbers – applicants can provide local authorities with current documentation to verify that they are engaged in agricultural activities on the relevant parcel of land. I expect that my Department will be issuing the 2025 terms and conditions to local authorities shortly.