Departmental Schemes

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Questions (106, 126, 425)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

106. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available for his Department for the upkeep of rural roads. [14620/25]

View answer

126. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the local improvement scheme will next open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14621/25]

View answer

Pa Daly

Question:

425. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the local improvement schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9452/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 126 and 425 together.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities under the scheme.

In April 2024, €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024/2025. My officials have recently opened the administration of the 2025 Local Improvement Scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads.

LIS targets support at non-public roads only - regional and public local roads are not covered under the scheme and are funded through investment programmes provided by the Department of Transport. To this end, my colleagues the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer recently announced an investment programme of €713 million for regional and local roads in 2025, details of which can be found on that Department's website.