Local Improvement Scheme funding
Danny Healy-Rae asked for extra funding for Kerry’s Local Improvement Scheme, arguing demand far exceeded the allocation and that rural users deserved proper roads. The Chair ruled it was not promised legislation, but the Minister said the scheme had been reintroduced, €48 million had been spent, and Kerry may simply have exhausted its allocation.
I now call Deputy Danny Healy-Rae and I ask that he focus on promised legislation, as he did yesterday.
Comment on this
I want to give credit where it is due. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, reintroduced the local improvement scheme, LIS. However, Kerry County Council has received over 800 applications for funding under this scheme but it has only enough funding for 28 projects. I appeal to the Minister to give Kerry County Council additional funding for this important scheme.
Comment on this
The people who drive these roads pay motor tax. They also pay property tax and most of them have their own water supply. These people are as deserving of good roads as the people in Dublin 4. I again ask the Minister, Deputy Ring, to give Kerry County Council additional funding for the local improvement scheme.
Comment on this
It is. It is related to the programme for Government. There are roads in the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency of Donegal as well and the local authority there will need money for them. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle should take my side.
Comment on this
I was delighted to reintroduce the local improvement scheme. To date, more than €48 million of LIS funding has been spent on roads. I allocated this year's funding in February. Kerry County Council might have already spent all of its funding but there are many local authorities that have not spent the allocation they received in February.
