Paul Lawless
Ceist:276. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding allocated to the LIS scheme each year over the past ten years. [21098/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 April 2025
Ceisteanna (276, 278)
Paul Lawless
Ceist:278. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will increase funding to the LIS scheme substantially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21100/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 278 together.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving 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 for LIS.
While the Department provides funding for LIS, the scheme is administered by local authorities responsible for selecting and prioritising roads. Applications are received directly by local authorities, who engage with scheme beneficiaries.
Regarding annual funding allocations to LIS, department officials review the scheme ahead of any new funding announcements to ensure our local authorities make allocations as fairly and efficiently as possible. My Department officials also work closely with local authorities to ensure funding is fully utilised. As has been the case in recent years, I will continue to monitor capital expenditure across my Department as the year progresses, with the potential to utilise any savings that may arise elsewhere for schemes such as the LIS. I will also be engaging with the upcoming review of the National Development Plan to seek increased capital expenditure allocations across the investment schemes operated by my Department.
The attached tabular statement provides details of the funding amount allocated to each local authority for the years 2017 - 2025