Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount budgeted for the local improvement scheme in 2025 for County Cork; to provide details of the demand for this scheme in County Cork and the financial allocation for 2025 to Cork local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14617/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Given LIS is intended to support the upkeep of rural roads, Cork City Council does not form part of the scheme. Since 2017, Cork County Council has been allocated a total of €12.99 million in funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.87 million. During this period Cork County Council has improved 264 non-public roads. At year end 2024, the Council indicated that it has 175 roads awaiting works under the scheme.

The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. In terms of annual funding allocations to LIS, a review of the scheme is carried out by Department officials ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure allocations across our local authorities are made as fairly and efficiently as possible. My Department officials also work closely with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised. As has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses with a view to utilising any savings which may arise for schemes such as the LIS