Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2024
89. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures being taken to address the high demand, and applications received by Cork County Council under the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40594/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future.
In April of this year, I announced over €40 million in funding for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes, having secured an additional once-off funding in respect of 2024. In order to help local authorities better plan their work programmes, thus supporting ongoing efforts to meet high demand at local level.
Since its establishment in 2017, the total amount of funding provided for LIS by my Department is just under €170 million (includes the 2024/2025 funding allocation). This funding has so far resulted in improvement works on over 4,000 roads, benefitting almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
Since the scheme launched in 2017, Cork has been allocated a total of €12.7 million in LIS funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.8 million for Cork and a figure of €0.42 million to fund LIS repair works on Cork’s island roads. Furthermore, Cork County Council has completed repair works on a total of 233 rural roads and laneways and have indicated that 31 roads will be completed in 2024, with a further 14 roads to be completed in 2025.
While my Department provides funding for the Scheme, it is administered by each local authority, who are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads. Should savings within the Department be identified, I will consider allocating an additional tranche of funding in 2025 to address the backlog of roads awaiting repair under the Scheme.
It should be noted that the ability of local authorities to meet demand under the scheme is not purely a function of available funding, as other factors such as weather conditions and the availability of contractors and labour are also relevant. My officials continue to liaise closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the scheme.
