The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving non-public rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities for LIS.
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 2025 Local Improvement Scheme and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads for completion in 2025.
Since 2017, Kerry has been allocated a total of €10.37 million in LIS funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.57 million. In relation to LIS, individual local authorities are responsible for the management of waiting lists and for the selection of priority road projects to be completed within each county, each calendar year. In prioritising projects, local authorities have regard to factors such as the level of available funding and condition of roads.
In terms of funding allocations to LIS, a review of the scheme is carried out by Department officials ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure funding is allocated across our local authorities as fairly and efficiently as possible.
Finally, as has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses with a view to utilising any savings which may arise for schemes such as the LIS.
