James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will reconsider the policy around the starting time of road improvement schemes, such as the local improvement scheme considering the dry weather in the spring time, despite his Department not having officially approved projects around the country; if he will review this matter to ensure it is earlier in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16255/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Improvement Scheme is an important support for rural communities in 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 under the Scheme.

In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024/2025, with €2.87 million allocated to Cork County Council. This allowed local authorities to plan more effectively for work to be carried out in the medium term, thus facilitating better delivery on the ground.

The Department began accepting 2025 LIS priority lists in early March. All local authorities engaged pro-actively with officials and the final priority lists have now been approved and sanction given to commence the agreed works. Broadly, local authorities have indicated that this is in line with their work schedules and confirmed that road works are usually completed during the months of April to October, weather permitting. The manner in which LIS is managed has very largely seen the full utilisation of annual budgets over recent years.

My officials will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure the process is as efficient as possible and to ensure that all 2024/2025 funding is fully utilised.