Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
136. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to roll-out the community involvement scheme for local authorities in 2021; the funding that will be provided for the repair of semi-public roads through Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5876/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of public regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is based on community contributions within the range of 15% to 30% and applies to public roads taken in charge by the local authority. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme.
Following the introduction of ring-fenced funding for a CIS programme in 2018, it was decided to provide funding over a two year period 2018/2019 so as to give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme. Towards the end of 2019, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for CIS for another two year programme for the period 2020/2021. Funding will be provided in 2021 to complete the projects provided for in this funding round.
Grant allocations for 2021 will be announced as soon as possible.
