Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further funding per county will be provided for local improvement scheme roads in 2022 on top of the initial allocations; if the extraordinarily long list of roads in County Kerry will be factored in when deciding on any supplementary allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41293/22]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
From 2017 to 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. I announced details of the 2022 LIS in early April, which included an allocation of €704,030 to Kerry County Council.
Last year, I was in a position to double the initial LIS allocation to €21 million following the identification of savings in other capital areas. I am continuing to closely monitor the capital allocations in my Department, and will keep the possibility of a further allocation to LIS this year under consideration in this context.
