Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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727. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will consider providing funding for the local improvement scheme on a multi annual basis, to ensure local authorities who administer the scheme can deliver them in a more efficient and cost-effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28490/25]

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, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme.

In April 2024 over €40 million in LIS funding was confirmed for the years 2024/2025. The management of LIS and the funding provided is a well embedded process within local authorities and is typically announced in the first quarter of each year.

Broadly, local authorities have indicated that this allows them reasonable time to complete repair works and is in line with work schedules which are more typically planned for the months of April to October and during finer weather. The manner in which LIS is managed has largely resulted in the full utilisation of annual budgets over recent years.My officials also review the scheme each year where consideration is given to any options in relation to allocating funding to local authorities in as fair and efficient a manner as possible.

I am aware of the ongoing demand for funding under the Scheme and my Department is engaging with the ongoing review of the National Development Plan in that context. I will also 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 Local Improvement Scheme.