Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1176. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for local improvement schemes for rural roads in view of the fact that the Minister for State with responsibility for regional economic development has offered to contribute funding from the CLÁR programme for these roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12918/17]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place this year. This Scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2017, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant which is €510,589 in the case of Kerry County Council) for LIS should they wish to do so. In addition Councils can also provide monies from their own resources towards LIS if they wish to do so. All available grant funding for this year has been allocated.
In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Community Involvement and Local Improvement Schemes, I will review the scope for making a separate grant allocation once the planned Review of the Capital Plan is completed.
