Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
606. 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. [4293/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (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. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the scheme is funded into the future.
The scheme was re-introduced in 2017 following a number of 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 over 20,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
In 2023 alone, almost €30 million in funding was allocated to local authorities across the country - a record investment in this scheme. This demonstrates my commitment to ensuring LIS is funded into the future.
A total of €304,736 was provided to Kildare County Council in 2023. Kildare County Council did not avail of a second round of funding announced in July 2023.
A total of €13.55 million has been allocated to LIS in 2024, an increase of €1 million on the initial funding in 2023. I hope to announce the details of the scheme shortly. My officials will be in contact with local authorities regarding the 2024 scheme as soon as it is announced.
