Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
431. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when Louth County Council and Meath County Council will receive grants from his Department for community involvement schemes for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regional and local road grants were allocated to local authorities (including Counties Louth and Meath) in January 2016 (additional severe weather funding was subsequently provided in February and May). All available funding has now been allocated.
The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) remains in place in 2016 on the basis that local authorities may set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement and Restoration Maintenance grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Community Improvement Schemes and Local Improvement Schemes, on an annual basis. A major objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements and CIS funding will be promoted in that context.
