Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of the negative impact of the new qualifying criteria on rural roads under the local involvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10363/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that 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 Local Improvement Scheme is governed by the Local Government Act of 2001 legislation. Section 81 part (3) provides that:
(3) A road authority may provide assistance by way of the carrying out of works, a financial contribution or otherwise towards the construction or improvement of a non-public road which—
(a) provides access to parcels of land of which at least 2 are owned or occupied by different persons or
(b) provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for 2 or more persons or
(c) Shall in the opinion of the road authority, be used by the public.
The legislation provides that the Scheme is subject to other terms and conditions that are considered appropriate and as such, these are reviewed each year. The Scheme conditions include a requirement that the two parcels of land accessed by the road must also be owned/occupied by persons engaged in separate agricultural activities.
The Scheme outline gives examples of the type of documentation that may be submitted in order to satisfy scheme requirement, although this is not an exhaustive list. Local authorities are advised by my Department to show a degree of flexibility in accepting alternative, verified documentary evidence when assessing eligibility criteria.
There is significant demand for the scheme and my Department reviews the scheme criteria each year prior to launch. No new qualifying criteria have been introduced to the scheme in recent years. This year's review of the scheme criteria is currently nearing completion and an announcement on this year’s scheme will be made shortly.
