CORK GETS SHARE OF NATIONAL POT: €1m for ‘Local Improvement Schemes’

22 September 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie

€1m in funding has been secured for Local Improvement Schemes in Cork.

The funding will allow for the repair and improvement of small roads and laneways leading to local people’s homes and businesses that are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities.

Locally based Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Simon Coveney, TD (Fine Gael) said: “I am delighted to announce that €1 Million in funding has been secured for Local Improvement Schemes here in Cork – the highest allocation provided under the LIS.

File photo of Simon Coveney
Picture: Cathal Noonan

For people who live in rural areas in County Cork, road connectivity is hugely important. I have been in constant communication with my Ministerial colleagues on the importance of the Local Improvement Scheme for people who live in rural Ireland.

The Government hasn’t been in a position to adequately fund the LIS scheme for the last number of years, but we made a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that we would reinstate the scheme.  The scheme will be funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and will be delivered through the Local Authority.

The ability of people to access their own premises, a farmyard or a neighbour’s house is compromised when roads are in a bad state of repair.  For emergency services, too, bad road surfaces can lead to delays in accessing sites and can damage their vehicles.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar along with Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring have announced the Government is providing a total of €10 million to fund this scheme across the country.  This will be combined with a small contribution from householders (10-15% of total costs) and Local Authorities, and will allow for the maintenance and improvement of many local roads all over Ireland.

The re-introduction of the LIS is an important part of the delivery of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development.  One of the Pillars of the Action Plan focuses on improving rural infrastructure and connectivity.