I stand here today to respectfully request that additional funding be allocated to the local improvement scheme, LIS, in 2025 to address the long waiting list for the scheme in every county across Ireland, particularly in my home county of Cork. There are currently thousands of applications on hand within local authorities, many dating back five years or more. I urge the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to consider this request for increased funding for the LIS. This investment will yield significant returns through improved road infrastructure for people living on these roads and it will also improve road safety.

It will strengthen the rural development outcomes we should all be working towards.

I thank Deputy O'Shea for raising this important issue. I know the local improvement scheme is really important for the communities he represents and the many other communities that need additional support in upgrading their roads. Since 2017, €169 million has been invested in this scheme. Last year, the figure stood at €40 million, which represented an increase of €12 million on the previous year. The Government continues to increase funding for this important scheme. I understand the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will look at how to prioritise the scheme further and the further steps that can be taken to strengthen it so that it can respond to the needs and issues the Deputy has referred to. I will make sure the Minister is aware of what the Deputy has said today, although I imagine he is already committed to looking at how this scheme can grow in the future.