Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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362. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the allocation of funding under the local improvement scheme will be announced; if consideration will be given to the various waiting list reports across a number of counties, particularly in County Leitrim where it is anticipated it may take in excess of six years under the average current funding since 2022; and if assistance will be given to those counties in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55642/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Improvement Scheme or LIS is a key support to rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways that are not typically maintained by local authorities. Since 2017, almost €184 million has been allocated to the Scheme.

On 7th August last, I was delighted to announce €14 million in additional funding for the 2025 scheme. This brings the total amount invested in LIS in 2025 alone to €30 million - a record investment.

Leitrim’s County Council’s original allocation for 2025 was €373k and, following the August 2025 additional allocation, it now had a full year budget of €900k. Final figures on the number of road improvements completed in Leitrim this year will be available following the drawdown process in December.

While my Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by local authorities who maintain responsibility for the management of waiting lists, scheme applications and determining the eligibility of roads.

My officials advise local authorities to review their waiting lists periodically to ensure all roads listed are eligible under the scheme. The Department has also engaged closely with local authorities to ensure LIS funding is fully utilised and that as many roads as possible are completed under the scheme.

The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. As the Deputy will be aware, €17 million in LIS funding was recently announced as part of Budget 2026. This represents an increase in base funding announced in previous years.

My Department will aim to launch the 2026 Scheme as early as possible next year, allowing local authorities to better plan and manage their resources. Details of the 2026 scheme, including county allocations will be circulated to local authorities once finalised.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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363. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55643/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails. Since 2020, funding of over €94 million has been approved for almost 1,300 projects nationwide.

I was delighted to announce funding of €8.7 million on 14th of August to deliver 221 projects under measure 1 and the project development measure of the 2024/2025 scheme.

I expect to announce the successful projects under measures 2 and 3 of the programme in the coming weeks.