Written answer
Departmental Funding
The 2026 scheme provides Kerry €1.13 million; councils prioritise works, and no separate pothole-repair scheme is planned.
4139. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will allocate a major increase in local improvement scheme funding (private roads) to County Kerry to address issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60511/26]
Comment on this
4142. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to introduce a budget that will allow local improvement scheme roads to be repaired (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60428/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4139 and 4142 together.
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. Kerry County Council has been allocated €1.13 million, an increase on the initial funding allocated in 2025. This funding announcement brings the total allocated to Kerry County Council since 2017 to almost €12.7 million. Given its geographic coverage, Kerry County Council has received amongst the highest LIS allocations across the 25 local authorities eligible for the scheme.
While the Department provides funding for the scheme, it is managed by local authorities, which are responsible for selecting and prioritising roads. This includes handling applications, prioritising eligible roads, scheduling works, and maintaining waiting lists. Local authorities decide whether they open the scheme to new applications each year or to work from applications on hand.
It is open to local authorities to decide on the level and nature of works to be undertaken and this includes repair works to roads. Thus, there are currently no plans to introduce a separate pothole repair scheme.
I will continue to work to ensure that this important scheme is well funded into the future.