I reintroduced the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in September 2017, after a number of years when no dedicated funding was available for the scheme. Since then, I have allocated over €48 million to Local Authorities under the scheme for improvement works on non-public roads.
The number and location of roads to benefit from improvement works under the LIS is a matter for the Local Authorities, as are the arrangements for inviting applications under the scheme.
Since 2017, I have allocated over €1.1 million to the County Council referred to by the Deputy for the completion of works on almost 60 LIS roads. This includes an allocation of €250,000 in 2019, which has not yet been drawn down by the Local Authority concerned. Funding can only be drawn down on the basis of works completed.
I am aware of the importance of the LIS to many people who live in rural Ireland, and I have secured funding for the scheme again in 2020. The amount to be allocated to each Local Authority will be announced when the scheme is launched next year.