The 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 re-introduced in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding. 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 almost 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
Last year alone, my Department invested almost €30 million in LIS funding, representing the highest ever amount invested in the scheme. My officials liaise closely with each local authority to ensure that funds are utilised fully and to ensure as many roads as possible are completed each year.
The selection of roads to be funded under the scheme is a matter for each local authority based on the priority or condition of particular roads in their county. The local authority may rely on existing lists of eligible roads and/or advertise for new applicant roads. There is, however, a backlog of roads awaiting repair under the scheme and my priority is to support local authorities to address this backlog.
In 2023 alone, over €2 million in funding was granted to Galway County Council which included funding for the repair of eligible roads on offshore islands. This brings the total amount allocated to Galway under LIS since 2017 to €10.3 million.
A total of €13 million has been allocated to LIS in 2024 and my Department is currently finalising the details of the scheme for the coming year which I will be announcing shortly.
