Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2017
209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will re-establish the local road improvement scheme in 2018 and continue to do so until all roads not repaired in decades are complete; if funding will be increased to deal with the backlog in applications with Cavan and Monaghan County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48279/17]
View answerMy Department wrote to Local Authorities last August to establish the level of demand for an LIS scheme this year. This is a nation-wide scheme which supports improvement works on private and non-public roads. The Local Authorities were advised that any requests for funds would be subject to their capacity to complete any proposed works in 2017, and funding availability.
On 21st September, I announced the provision of €10 million for a Local Improvement Scheme. Within the budget available for 2017, it was not possible to fully support the level of demand which the Local Authorities stated they could deliver this year. However, all eligible Local Authorities received a minimum of €250,000, with the exception of three Authorities who requested less than that amount.
A total of €295,000 was approved under the scheme for Cavan County Council, and €250,000 for Monaghan County Council. It is now a matter for the Local Authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan, to determine which roads they wish to prioritise from the funding allocated to them.
I recognise that there is an underlying demand for further LIS funding, as no dedicated funding stream was available for these type of works for a number of year. I have therefore secured a further allocation of €10 million for LIS in my Department's Estimate for 2018. Details of the 2018 scheme will be announced early in the New Year.
