Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
609. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to reintroduce Gaeltacht grants for roads in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18108/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring back Scéim na mBóithre Áise during the term of this Government. The mechanism and approach to reinstating this scheme are currently being explored by officials in my Department. In the meantime, funding is available under my Department’s Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to assist local authorities in carrying out improvement works on non-public roads and roads not normally publicly maintained. I announced in August 2025 that I had approved additional funding of €14m for this scheme to carry out upgrading works on rural roads across the country, including Gaeltacht areas. This brought my Department’s investment in this particular scheme to €30m in 2025. I also recently announced the opening of the 2026 Local Improvement Scheme which will provide €17.55 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways under the scheme.
Further information on the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is available on my Department’s website.
