Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline her ambitions to support the rural road network under the LIS schemes throughout County Kildare and the country in the current year and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28583/23]
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 was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
From 2017 to 2022, a total of €1.76 million was allocated to County Kildare which saw improvement works carried out on 43 non-public roads and lanes.
I launched the 2023 scheme in February with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated almost €305,000 to County Kildare bringing their total allocation since the scheme was reintroduced to over €2 million.
I am continuing to review expenditure patterns in my Department and should savings emerge, I will give consideration to allocating additional funding to the Local Improvement Scheme. Indeed, I have recently asked all local authorities to inform my Department as to how many more projects they could deliver this year, should any such funding become available.
I am committed to ensure that a well funded LIS continues in the coming years, in line with our commitments under Our Rural Future.
