Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1677. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects that his Department will next provide local improvement scheme funding to local authorities; if he will provide a commentary on the backlog of local improvement scheme applications in rural counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a key support to rural communities in improving non-public roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its reintroduction in 2017, the government has provided almost €170 million 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. My Department officials have now received submissions from all 25 local authorities in respect of proposed 2025 LIS works and have given sanction for these works to begin.

While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by local authorities who hold responsibility for selecting and prioritising roads. This includes managing applications, prioritising eligible roads, scheduling works, and maintaining waiting lists. Despite progress made in recent years, demand for the scheme remains consistently high across rural counties.

The LIS process is now well established within local authorities. The manner in which LIS is managed has largely resulted in the full utilisation of annual budgets over recent years. The Department keeps the operation of the scheme under ongoing review, considering ways to improve funding distribution and ensure the process remains fair and effective.

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.