Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
1359. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided for the re-introduction of the Scéim na mBóithre Áise in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/26]
View answerThe current Programme for Government includes a commitment to restoring Scéim na mBóithre Áise during this Government's term. The mechanism and approach related to reintroducing this scheme are currently being examined by officials in my Department.
In the meantime, funding is available through my department under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to assist local authorities in carrying out improvement works on private roads and on roads that are not normally publicly maintained.
The 2026 Local Improvement Scheme has a budget of €17.5 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways. This is an increase of €2 million on the 2025 allocation to the scheme. This amounts to a total of over €201 million that has been allocated to local authorities under the Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017.
Further information on the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is available on my Departments website.
