16 DFómh 2019, 18:01
The Committee on Rural and Community Development has welcomed a commitment from Minister Michael Ring to examine the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) which funds rural road repairs.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Affairs and Digital Development, Seán Canney TD appeared before the Committee earlier today.
The TDs and Senators were reviewing spending by the Department of Rural and Community Development to date this year. Minister Ring revealed Local Authorities have spent €5.6 million of the €10 million allocated to them under the LIS programme so far this year. He said he was confident the money would be spent.
Minister Ring said inspectors are currently looking at some of the projects funded by LIS to ensure the money is being spent appropriately. He said he would like to sit down with the County and City Managers Association, and Department of Transport and Department of Education Officials to examine the possibility of increasing funding under the LIS programme.
Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chairman, Deputy Joe Carey TD said: “The Committee is pleased with the approach being taken by the Minister. It is clear from our meeting today, that he is making every effort to ensure that the funding available through this scheme is allocated in a practical and logical way, ensuring that it is being spent giving the maximum benefit to local communities.
“I, as Chairman, together with my Committee colleagues, support this approach but would like to see a more collaborative interdepartmental approach to meet the financial burdens associated with the delivery services under the Local Improvement Scheme.”