Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2019
66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the local improvement scheme nationally; his plans to increase funding to clear backlogs on waiting lists for the scheme over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/19]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
There was no dedicated funding available for this scheme for a number of years due to constraints on public expenditure. However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country and I re-launched the scheme in 2017.
Since the reintroduction of the scheme I have allocated over €48 million to the LIS, which has led to the completion of over 1,400 roads to date.
On 7th February last I launched the 2019 LIS and allocated a sum of €10 million to Local Authorities under the scheme. Decisions on the number and location of roads to benefit from improvement works in 2019 is a matter for the relevant Local Authority.
Funding allocations on a county by county basis can be found on the Gov.ie website at the following link:https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/.
It is clear that there is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland. Funding for the scheme is determined as part of the annual Estimates process.
