Departmental Schemes

Thursday, 18 April 2024

Questions (325)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount in local contributions from residents and landowners, per local authority, under the local improvement scheme since 2016, in tabular form; the number of roads improved in each of these local authority areas in the corresponding period; the total length/area of road completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17208/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.

The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023 my Department has allocated almost €130 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

The following table the number of roads completed per county since 2017. However, given the level of detail the Deputy has sought and the volume of capital projects my Department funds, it is not possible to give a full reply in the allotted timeframe. My officials are currently compiling the remaining elements of the information requested and this will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

LIS Roads Completed

County	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	Total
Carlow	20	28	14	15	25	37	21	160
Cavan	10	12	4	4	22	25	23	100
Clare	28	30	12	12	20	25	22	149
Cork	34	62	20	19	29	22	47	233
Donegal	164	107	35	35	67	68	64	540
Galway	57	69	36	30	49	50	39	330
Kerry	41	61	21	9	18	23	23	196
Kildare	0	12	8	4	8	11	6	49
Kilkenny	16	16	9	7	19	11	11	89
Laois	21	15	7	7	13	23	23	109
Leitrim	20	24	11	9	17	31	24	136
Limerick	18	22	13	8	42	27	17	147
Longford	18	25	15	8	14	18	15	113
Louth	8	6	6	10	10	12	10	62
Mayo	89	144	74	53	91	31	67	549
Meath	22	21	12	5	17	9	14	100
Monaghan	21	28	14	12	26	14	30	145
Offaly	23	31	16	14	29	32	26	171
Roscommon	41	91	21	27	30	24	17	251
Sligo	16	22	7	6	15	18	23	107
Tipperary	10	32	21	20	25	35	40	183
Waterford	17	20	3	5	14	11	12	82
Westmeath	23	22	12	12	24	20	13	126
Wexford	18	17	11	13	22	23	21	125
Wicklow	7	15	10	6	14	8	11	71
Total	742	932	412	350	660	608	619	4323

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

Further to your PQ on 15/04/2024 regarding the total amount in local contributions from residents and landowners, per local authority, under the local improvement scheme since 2016, in tabular form, the number of roads improved in each of these local authority areas in the corresponding period; the total length/area of road completed, I have attached a table outlining the data sought. Please note the data regarding road width was not collected for the years 2017 to 2019, therefore we cannot provide a total area for these years.

Between 2017 and 2024, my department allocated almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. This has upgraded, up to the end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefiting almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

While my department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by each local authority, which is responsible for its administration and the selection and prioritisation of roads. Each local authority determines eligible roads for inclusion under the scheme criteria in any given year and decides whether or not to open the scheme to new applicants or to focus on existing lists.

The local contribution is an integral part of the Local Improvement Scheme. The local contribution must be paid before any work commences, and the local authority may only proceed with a road project where the local contribution has been paid by the beneficiaries. Free labour or materials are not acceptable as part of the local contribution.

The local contribution is 10% for eligible roads with up to and including five beneficiaries and 15% for those with six or more beneficiaries. The total contribution is based on the estimated cost of the project.

The maximum amount that any beneficiary must contribute is capped at €1,200, where all beneficiaries are contributing.

The local authority is responsible for paying the local contribution for Amenity Road, which is set at 15%. However, if there are other beneficiaries on an Amenity Road, the local authority may seek a portion of their local contribution, subject to the €1,200 cap noted above. This is at the discretion of each local authority.

Where the final cost of completing the works exceeds the initial estimated cost, the Local Authority must fund the shortfall in the local contribution provided. Where the final price is lower than the initial estimated cost, the Local Authority must refund the excess in the local contribution provided.