Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be provided in Budget 2026 for the local improvement scheme in order to improve non-public rural roads and local laneways in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56045/25]

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 provided to local authorities under 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.

Cork County Council’s original allocation for 2025 was €1.16m and, following the August 2025 additional allocation, it now has a full year allocation of €2.33m. This is the second highest allocation nationally.

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

The 2026 Local Improvement Scheme is expected to be launched early next year. This will allow local authorities to plan and manage their resources in an effective manner. Details of the 2026 LIS, including county allocations and the scheme outline, will be circulated to local authorities and published on the department's website.