Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020
389. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding allocated to each local authority for the local improvement scheme in 2020; the proposed allocation per county for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35973/20]
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.
Since the LIS was re-launched in 2017, over €58 million has been allocated to Local Authorities for improvements to qualifying roads under the scheme.
An allocation of €10 million was made available for 2020 for the Local Improvement Scheme, and works under the scheme are nearing completion. I expect a full drawn down of the 2020 allocation by year-end. The LIS 2020 funding allocation for each County can be found on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/
Recognising the value of the scheme for people living in rural areas, I was very pleased to secure an increase in the allocation for LIS in Budget 2021. Funding for the scheme next year will increase by 5%, to €10.5 million. The distribution of this funding to each of the relevant Local Authorities will be announced early next year when I formally launch the scheme for 2021.
