Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
678. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department has received an application for funding to upgrade a road (details supplied); the scheme under which this application is being considered; the progress made to date in considering the application; when it is expected that a decision will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39845/17]
View answerMy Department does not currently operate a scheme for road upgrades. However, I am 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. Decisions in relation to the selection of individual roads in any such scheme are a matter for each Local Authority.
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. The information provided by the Local Authorities is now being considered and a decision in relation to any potential scheme will be made shortly.
