Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
38. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on any engagement her Department has had with the Department of Transport and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to enhancement of the LIS allocations for counties affected by flooding, particularly Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20865/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme 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 in the future.
I recently announced €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes. This announcement brings the total amount of funding provided for the Local Improvement Scheme by my Development since its establishment in 2017 to just under €170 Million. It represents my commitment to ensuring that LIS continues to receive adequate funding.
In response to feedback received, I have introduced a new flexibility for local authorities to include on their priority lists roads previously repaired under LIS but which have since been damaged by severe flooding in late 2023. If applying for remedial works on these roads, evidence should be supplied of when previous LIS repairs were carried out and documentary evidence of damage sustained as a result of flooding in 2023.
In relation to the Deputy's specific query, the Office of Public Works, in conjunction with local authorities, retains the primary responsibility for preventive and emergency flood relief measures.
