4294. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of roads and laneways currently awaiting works under the local improvement scheme in each local authority area; the date of the oldest outstanding application; the estimated cost of completing all eligible applications currently awaiting funding; the 2026 allocation to each local authority; the number of roads expected to be completed from that allocation, in tabular form. [58454/26]

The Local Improvement Scheme funds the upgrade of non-public rural roads and laneways, which are not usually maintained by local authorities. My Department reinstated the Scheme in 2017, and it currently serves as a central element of the overall Rural Development Investment Programme. The LIS scheme remains highly popular nationwide and, since 2017, over €200 million has been allocated to local authorities, resulting in the improvement of over 5,500 roads being under this program.

I was pleased to launch the 2026 Local Improvement Scheme in February, supported by increased base funding of €17.55 million and I have included a list of the 2026 allocations by county in the below table.

While the Department provides LIS funding, local authorities administer the scheme and are solely responsible for managing waiting lists, selecting and prioritising roads and managing works undertaken.

At year-end 2025, local authorities indicated that 4,148 requests on hand for repairs to roads under the scheme at an estimated cost of over €172 million. Again, it is important to note that the manner in which each local authority manages its LIS application and administration process is decided by the local authority itself and is not prescribed centrally by the Department. Local authorities decide whether they open the scheme to new applications each year or to work from applications on hand. Details relating to requests on hand as advised by local authorities are included in the below table and provide a breakdown on a county basis of the position at year end 2025.

Details of the numbers of LIS roads improved during 2026 will not be available until funding is drawn down at year end, once all works have been completed.

My officials will closely monitor scheme spending to ensure that funding is fully utilised and that as many road improvements as possible are completed under the scheme this year. I will also seek to ensure, through the annual budgetary process, that this important scheme remains well funded in the years to come.

Table 1. LIS 2026 Allocations by County

Table 2. List of Roads awaiting repair at year end 2025

LIS Allocations by County