Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improving rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that LIS is funded into the future.

I have attached, as requested a breakdown of allocations versus actual spend per county from 2018 - 2023. At the end of each Scheme year, local authorities submit a final report of all works completed and the value of those works. Funds are only distributed to local authorities for completed works up to the value of their total annual allocation.

In recent years, when savings have been identified elsewhere in the Department, a second round of funding has been allocated to local authorities mid-year for additional repair works to be carried out under the Scheme. Local authorities have responded very well to this additional funding, given the shorter time-frame for completion of these additional works. Consideration of any differences between allocations and expenditure should take cognisance of this context, and of factors such as changing weather conditions and the availability of contractors which can serve to limit the possibility to compete further works.