Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of county councils that have provided a list of roads for approval under the LIS allocation for 2020; the counties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/20]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
As the Deputy will be aware, there was no dedicated funding available for this scheme for a number of years until I re-launched it in 2017. Since then, over €48 million has been allocated to the Local Authorities to deliver the scheme.
In March this year, I confirmed that a further €10 million is being made available for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2020, with each Local Authority being provided with the same financial allocation as 2019. This funding can be drawn down by the Local Authorities as works are completed on the LIS roads.
A total of twenty Local Authorities have already determined the roads to be funded under the scheme this year. My Department has reviewed the information supplied and, so far, funding agreements have issued to sixteen Local Authorities so that the works can commence on the roads in question. The remainder will issue shortly as any outstanding matters are finalized.
Given the constraints imposed by COVID-19, the process of determining the roads to be funded is still under way in a number of other Local Authority areas. However, I understand that this process will be concluded in the coming weeks.
The twenty counties listed below have determined the roads to be funded and have advised my Department accordingly.
Counties who have provided lists
Carlow Kildare Monaghan
Cavan Kilkenny Offaly
Clare Laois Roscommon
Cork Leitrim Sligo
Donegal Limerick Wexford
Galway Longford Wicklow
Kerry Meath
