Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
748. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way an allocation of local improvement scheme funding was spent by Mayo County Council (details supplied); the details of the road this funding was spent on; the scheme road number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57099/21]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities and represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural communities. As part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme is funded into the future.
The selection of LIS roads is a matter for the relevant Local Authority. The roads to be completed in a given year are included in a “priority list” of roads provided to my Department. In some cases, and for various different reasons, a road on the priority list may not be delivered in a given year and can be replaced by one or more roads which are contained in a “secondary list” which is also provided by the Local Authority.
In 2018, 144 LIS roads were completed in Mayo. I understand that the road referred to by the Deputy was one of a total of 11 approved roads on the priority list in County Mayo which did not proceed. The funding available for these roads was reallocated to 13 roads on the secondary list provided by Mayo County Council. The road referred to by the Deputy was originally selected for works totaling €34,890.
A short section of this road referred to by the Deputy was again included on the priority list from Mayo County Council in 2020. The Local Authority has indicated that the works on this shorter section of the road involved a higher standard of finish than was envisaged in 2018 and the cost was €29,602.
I have asked my officials to request a full written report from Mayo County Council in respect of the road in question, including to ascertain the rationale for the approach taken and to consider any further action required by my Department in respect of the funding provided.
