Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017

Monday, 11 September 2017

Questions (1731, 1739, 1740)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

1731. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/17]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

1739. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeframe for implementing the newly announced local improvement scheme, LIS; the timeframe for grant approvals; the date for works completion by the local authority; the national budget for the LIS programme for 2017; the ratio mechanism for dividing the budget by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38339/17]

Dara Calleary

Question:

1740. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will extend the 14 September 2017 deadline for submission of potential projects for funding under the new local improvement scheme, LIS, scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38344/17]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1731, 1739 and 1740 together.

I am currently in the process of examining the possibility of introducing a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2017 to support the maintenance and improvement of non-public roads and laneways, many of which are in rural areas.  In this regard, my Department wrote to relevant Local Authorities recently to establish the level of demand for such a scheme and the capacity of the Local Authorities to complete works under a scheme by the end of this year.

Local Authorities were asked to provide information to my Department by 14 September to assist me in making an informed decision regarding the potential impact and feasibility of introducing an LIS, and subject to the necessary funding being available. It is not possible to extend this deadline if decisions are to be made around the possibility of introducing a scheme this year and making funding available quickly from the 2017 funding envelope.

I will consider the issue of the level of funding and disbursement arrangements in full on receipt of the information requested from the Local Authorities.