Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
94. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding drawn down for local improvement schemes in County Cork for 2021; if all funding allocated to Cork County Council under the scheme for 2021 was drawn down; if not, if these moneys will be available to draw down as additional to the 2022 allocation to Cork County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17926/22]
View answerAs part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
I launched the 2021 scheme with an initial budget of €10.5 million. Cork was allocated €920,000, primarily based on the physical area of the County. This amount represented the maximum level of funding allocated to any individual county.
I sourced additional funding last year from savings within my Department's vote, effectively doubling investment to bring the total for 2021 to €21 million. This additional funding was allocated based on each local authority's view as to their capacity to deliver improvement works by year-end.
Cork County Council submitted a request for funding of €700,000 under this second tranche, which was over-subscribed. It was determined each county would be allocated just over 70% of the amount requested. As a result, Cork County Council was awarded €492,738 in this second tranche. Thus, last year the total allocation to Cork amounted to €1,412,738
Local authorities were advised that their 2022 allocation would be impacted by any shortfall in delivery of funding in 2021. The total funding utilised for the delivery of roads in Cork in 2021 was €1,315,172, leading to a shortfall of €97,566.
My Department permitted Cork County Council to drawdown €95,000 of this shortfall in 2021 and to carry it over to spend on roads in 2022. An equivalent amount was then deducted from their allocation in 2022.
I announced earlier today details of an €11 million allocation for LIS in 2022. The allocation for Cork in 2022, excluding the funding carried over from 2021, is €879,099.
