Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

114. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to detail the funding provided to Meath County Council for the local improvement scheme in each of the past five years; if he has plans to increase this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25741/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities for LIS.

In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across local authorities to cover 2024/2025. This figure includes €1.33 million in LIS funding for Meath County Council.

The below table outlines the LIS funding allocated to Meath County Council in each of the past five years.

Table: Local Improvement Scheme allocation for County Meath, 2020 - 2025.

The Programme for Government commits to the support of rural communities including a commitment to increase funding under the LIS and I am committed to ensuring that the Scheme continues to be well funded in the coming years. My Department is engaging with the ongoing review of the National Development Plan with a view to increasing the capital allocations for schemes such as LIS.

As has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses, with the potential to utilise any savings that may arise elsewhere for schemes such as the LIS.