Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017
635. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a local authority is required by departmental guidelines to advertise publicly the local improvement scheme before particular works are agreed or completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42923/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 September, I announced the provision of €10 million for a Local Improvement Scheme which supports improvement works on private and non-public roads.
My Department wrote to Local Authorities in August to establish the level of demand for an LIS scheme this year. The Local Authorities were advised that any requests for funds would be subject to their capacity to complete any proposed works in 2017, and funding availability.
Within the budget available for 2017, it was not possible to fully support the level of demand which the Local Authorities stated they could deliver in 2017. However, all eligible Local Authorities received a minimum of €250,000, with the exception of three Authorities who requested less than that amount. The allocations generally had regard to the geographical area of the counties and the level of demand indicated by the Local Authorities.
It is now a matter for each Local Authority to decide which works should be completed from the list of potential projects submitted to my Department, having regard to the funding allocated to them. Local Authorities are not specifically required by Departmental guidelines to advertise the LIS scheme publicly before particular works are agreed or completed.
