Joe Carey
Ceist:56. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the 2019 local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22724/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2019
56. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the 2019 local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22724/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
There was no dedicated funding available for this scheme for a number of years due to constraints on public expenditure. However, I was very conscious of the underlying demand for the scheme in rural areas throughout the country and I re-launched the scheme in 2017.
Since the reintroduction of the scheme I have allocated over €48 million to it, which has led to the completion of over 1,400 roads.
I launched the 2019 LIS on 7th February last and allocated a sum of €10 million to Local Authorities under the scheme. Decisions on the number and location of roads to benefit from improvement works in 2019 is a matter for the relevant Local Authority. Funding allocations on a county by county basis can be found on the Gov.ie website at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/d309ea-local-improvement-scheme/.