Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2023
267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when county allocations for LIS 2024 will be announced; if she will take into account that over 600 roads in Kerry, about one fifth of the national total, await improvement; if she will consider allocating funding relative to the number of roads awaiting improvement per local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55801/23]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or 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 Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports improving rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an essential contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
Between 2017 and 2023, my Department has allocated almost €130 million towards improvement works on over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefitted over 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland. Kerry County Council have received over €7 million in LIS funding between 2017 and 2023. In 2023 alone Kerry was allocated over €1.5 million.
The 2024 LIS Scheme will be launched in early 2024, in order to give each local authority as much time as possible to complete outstanding LIS road works.
While my department funds LIS, it is administered by local authorities who prioritise road projects and establish eligibility as per Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2001. My officials continue to engage with all local authorities in relation to the management of LIS waiting lists. In addition, I have been in ongoing communication with my colleague, the Minister for Transport regarding his Department contributing to a jointly funded LIS scheme so that we can further address the demand under the Scheme.
