Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 April 2016
151. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided by his Department to Carlow County Council for the local improvement scheme; when the scheme will open for applications for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/16]
View answer152. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided by his Department to Kilkenny County Council for the local improvement scheme; when the scheme will open for applications for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7844/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 6630/16 of 14 April 2016, the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for road and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge, that is, private roads and laneways. The maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner.
On 26 January 2016, I announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations for all local authorities Including Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils. Local authorities were informed (through Circular RW 1/2016) that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place for 2016 however there is no separate allocation available towards this grant category. Instead local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant for LIS should they wish to do so.
As the Local Improvement Scheme is managed locally, it is a matter for the local authority to prioritise works according to resources.
