I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 871 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are generally not maintained by local authorities.
My Department reintroduced the scheme in 2017 after several years without dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2024, my Department allocated almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. Up to the end of 2023, this has upgraded over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefitting nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
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 in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out in the Scheme outline.
My Department retains LIS information on a county rather than municipal area basis. Details relating to municipal areas may be available through the relevant local authorities. The table below sets out the overall funding allocated to Cork County Council in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and to date in 2024, the number of roads completed and the amount spent in tabular form under LIS.
|
Cork
|
Allocated LIS Funding
|
LIS Roads Completed
|
Amount Paid
|
|
2021
|
€1,412,738
|
29
|
€1,291,398
|
|
2022
|
€1,298,240
|
21
|
€1,268,997
|
|
2023
|
€2,755,923
|
47
|
€2,580960
|
|
2024
|
€2,588,444
|
31* TBC November
|
TBC November
|