Martin Kenny
Ceist:38. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to allocate more funding to the local improvement scheme. [30220/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 11 July 2019
Ceisteanna (38)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, there was no dedicated funding 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.
I reintroduced the LIS in September 2017 and allocated a total of €17.5 million to Local Authorities for LIS roads in 2017. In 2018, I allocated over €20 million for LIS roads in two phases, the second of which is currently being completed.
On 7th February last I launched the 2019 Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and allocated a sum of €10 million to Local Authorities under the scheme. 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/.
It is clear that there is a continuing demand for LIS funding in rural communities across Ireland. I will be closely monitoring the scheme over the coming months and will make decisions regarding any further funding in due course.