Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is concerned with the vast difference in the average price of LIS roads being improved by local authorities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19908/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Local Improvement Scheme supports improving rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded in the future.

I recently announced revised funding of over €40 million, which has been secured for the 2024 and 2025 Scheme. This allocation brings the total amount of funding provided for the Local Improvement Scheme by the Department of Rural and Community Development since its establishment in 2017 to just under €170 Million.

While my Department funds the scheme, it is administered by local authorities who are responsible for the prioritisation and selection of eligible roads in accordance with the Scheme criteria.

My Department advises that improvement plans should be commensurate with the width and bearing capacity, and the standard of finishing surface should be related to the needs of the beneficiaries, with particular regard to the type of farm machinery using the road and, for example, the extent of tractor and lorry traffic.

This of course may differ significantly from county to county. The condition of roads prioritised by local authorities, their geographic location, the availability of contractors and other factors may all ultimately influence the final cost of repair. These are factors which can vary from location to location.

Local authorities are required to adhere to National and EU procurement rules and must also comply with appropriate financial and government accounting rules and regulations in relation to the expenditure, thus underpinning the delivery of value for money. Furthermore, in order to ensure best value for money is secured, my Department advises that the cost of any individual road project may not exceed 20% of the total annual allocation to a local authority.

Each year, my Department officials work closely with local authorities to ensure funding is fully utilised. On-the-spot checks may be carried out on any selected project payment claims to verify compliance with funding conditions, project delivery and the reality of expenditure where appropriate.