Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
56. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department plans to release further funding for local roads across east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10462/24]
View answer61. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects to announce LIS funding for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10355/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 61 together.
Under Our Rural Future, Ireland's 5 year rural development policy, Government has committed to increasing the level of investment in the repair of non-public roads thorough the Local Improvement Scheme. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland.
There is no other source of funding for these roads which provide vital access to agricultural lands and rural homes and other important community amenities. This is why I have sought to prioritise funding to the scheme in recent years.
As you know, 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. This is a clear indicator of the positive impact that this investment is having right across the country.
From 2017 to 2023, a total of €10.1 million has been allocated to Cork to fund works carried out on over 200 roads. This is the third highest allocation nationally.
In 2023, more than €2.7m was allocated to Cork for repair and maintenance works on 47 roads benefitting 190 landowners and residents.
Last year alone, almost €30 million in Local Improvement Scheme funding was allocated to local authorities across the country in two tranches.
€13.55 million has been allocated to the scheme in 2024. This represents an increase of €1 million from initial funding announced in 2023.
My Department is currently finalising the scheme details for the coming year and an announcement on the terms and conditions of the scheme is expected shortly. This will allow local authorities to commence work on this important scheme.
Expenditure patterns will be closely monitored this year in my Department, and should savings emerge I will consider again allocating additional funding to the scheme. This is in line with the approach I have taken to funding the scheme in recent years.
Finally, I have made numerous representations to my colleague Minister Ryan in an effort to secure further financial support from his Department. While the Department of Transport has not indicated that they will make a contribution to the funding of the scheme for the time being, I will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that the Local Improvement Scheme continues to deliver real benefits in rural communities across Ireland.
