Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1937. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount in local contributions from residents and landowners, per local authority, under the local improvement scheme since 2016; the number of roads improved in each of these local authority areas in the corresponding period; the total length/area of road completed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1938. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amounts sought by each local authority and subsequently granted to each local authority under the local improvement scheme for each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10654/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1939. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if value for money reviews are carried out on local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10659/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1940. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the local improvement scheme allocation for each of the years 2020 to date in 2025; the number of outstanding local improvement scheme roads; the value of outstanding roads awaiting improvement; the amount initially sought by each local authority; if all the funding allocated from both tranches of funding was drawn; and if not, the amount that was not drawn down for each of the years 2020 to date 2025, by local authority, in tabular form. [10660/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1941. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has identified any circumstances in local authorities where funding was drawn down under the local improvement scheme in respect of roads that were not completed at the time of drawdown; if so, if she will identify the local authorities that were involved and list each such instancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10661/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1937 to 1941, inclusive, together.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities for LIS.

In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024/2025. My officials have recently opened the administration of the 2025 Local Improvement Scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads.

While the Department provides funding for LIS, the scheme is administered by local authorities who hold responsibility for the selection and prioritisation of roads. Applications are received directly by local authorities, who engage with beneficiaries of the scheme.

The attached tabular statement provides details requested by the Deputy. Table 1 outlines the funding amount allocated to each local authority for the years 2017 - 2025 together with the amount of funding drawn down. Table 2, includes details for each local authority of the total amount of local contributions by beneficiaries of the works, the number of roads improved and the total length completed. In relation to individual road improvements completed under LIS, it should be noted that any final cost arising is a factor of the nature, scale and complexity of works undertaken - all of which can vary significantly.

The local contribution is an integral part of the Local Improvement Scheme. It must be paid before any work commences, and the local authority may only proceed with a road project where the beneficiaries have paid the contribution.

LIS funds are released to local authorities upon receipt of fully completed documentation which includes a list of roads completed. Since 2017, my Department has received just one request for drawdown of funds in respect of a road not completed. This was a 2020 request from Meath County Council within which the Council made clear that the works had yet to be completed. In this case, and based on the exceptional circumstances prevailing where it was confirmed the works could not be completed within the given time frame due to the impact of severe weather conditions, funding of €110,000 was authorised as a once off measure to support road surface works. These works were subsequently completed in full.

As part of the annual drawdown process, local authorities are asked to provide an estimate of the number of outstanding roads awaiting improvement and estimated cost to improve them. At end 2024, the local authorities estimated that 4,130 roads outstanding and the estimated cost of repairs was €183.4 million.

In terms of value for money, LIS funding is subject to the range of control procedures, including an annual programme of on-site inspections undertaken by the Department's inspectorate as well as being subject to review by Internal Audit and the Comptroller and Auditor General. Separately, a ‘Focused Policy Assessment of the Local Improvement Scheme’ was undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES) in 2020 and is available on-line.