Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that her Department has taken to address the backlog of applications in the local improvement scheme; if she will commit to upholding recent funding increases for the scheme in 2023 considering the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
The scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes. These works have benefited over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I was pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million to €11 million this year. Following a review of savings within the Department, I have recently announced an additional €11 million for the scheme, so doubling the 2022 allocation to €22 million. This brings the allocation since 2017 to over €100 million. Consideration of future funding of the LIS is of course subject to the ongoing budgetary process and the capital allocations contained in the National Development Plan, but I am confident that the scheme can continue to make a clear contribution to the goals and ambition of Our Rural Future.
