Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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2630. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a scheme for a farmer to upgrade the rural lane to his home and lands, where he is the only farmer using the lane but relies on contractors to assist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20650/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving 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. Over €40 million in national funding was announced in April 2024 for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes.

Under the terms of the Scheme, eligible road projects are those that involve the construction or improvement of non-public roads which provide access:

• to parcels of land, of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons, one of which must be engaged in agricultural activities, or
• for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons, or
• to at least one parcel of land owned or occupied by a person engaged in agricultural activities AND which separately provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for at least one other person.

While my Department funds the Scheme, local authorities are responsible for prioritising and selecting roads for repair. My officials are currently receiving submissions from local authorities regarding roads for inclusion in the 2025 LIS works.

Any potential applicant for LIS should contact the relevant local authority to ascertain if a road in question may be eligible for repair work under the scheme and to explore the options that may be available.

My Department is committed to supporting the improvement of non-public roads in rural areas through the Local Improvement Scheme. Primary responsibility for the upkeep and repair of public local roads remains within the remit of local authorities and are funded through investment programmes provided by the Department for Transport.