Leitrim local improvement scheme backlog
Deputy Harkin raised a large backlog of local improvement scheme applications in County Leitrim, some dating back to 2008 and 2009. The Taoiseach said he needed the exact details and would see whether the matter lay with the relevant Minister, while noting rural renewal funding was available.
I want to raise the totally unacceptable backlog in local improvement scheme, LIS, applications in County Leitrim. I am not referring to applications that are one, two, three, four or even five years old. I am referring to applications from as far back as 2008 and 2009. As the Taoiseach knows, the scheme was suspended from 2012 to 2017. In County Leitrim, people are still dealing with applications submitted before 2012. There is no funding for new applications and it is a huge issue. Approximately €3 million would clear the backlog. Will the Taoiseach raise this issue with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan?
Comment on this
I am not sure which Minister this is a matter for, whether Deputy Eamon Ryan, Deputy Darragh O'Brien or Deputy Humphreys. If the Deputy can specify the applications she is referring to, we certainly want to be as responsive as we possibly can in respect of local improvement schemes in rural areas. Substantial capital funding has been allocated for a whole range of rural renewal projects. I would be interested in seeing the details of the applications to which the Deputy referred.