A total of €926,415 in additional funding has been announced for repairs and improvement works on rural roads and laneways in Laois.
The funding is under the Local Improvement Scheme and is for the continued improvement of non-public roads and lanes that are not normally maintained by local authorities.
The money allocated to Laois brings the overall amount under this scheme to over €1.2 million. Just over €300,000 was announced earlier this year under the same scheme. Only nine counties have been allocated more than Laois.
“Such roads represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents – providing access to homes, farms and businesses, as well as outdoor amenities such as our lakes, rivers or beaches,” said Minister Humphreys in her statement.
“The funding is more than double the allocation provided last year, and will allow local authorities to address the backlog of applications that they currently face.
“Today’s announcement means that almost €30 million has been allocated under the Local Improvement Scheme this year alone.
“And almost €130 million has been invested through LIS since the scheme was re-introduced in 2017.
“Good roads are absolutely vital for our rural communities and this record investment under the Local Improvement Scheme will make a huge difference in terms of access and connectivity.
“We are all familiar with the roads and laneways within our own communities that are full of potholes and in desperate need of repair.
“The funding being delivered under this scheme will help address this – benefitting so many of our families, businesses and in particular our farmers.
“This funding is all about making peoples’ lives that bit easier and ensuring we have good access to homes, farms, businesses and local amenities.
“This additional tranche of €16 million in funding that I am announcing is on top of the €12.5 million that I allocated earlier this year.
“The scale of this investment is a clear example of Government’s commitment to supporting our rural communities through our five year rural development strategy, ‘Our Rural Future’.
“Since the Local Improvement Scheme was re-introduced in 2017, almost 4,000 roads have been funded for repair works. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 16,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland, and many more visitors.
“I acknowledge that there is strong demand for this funding in many parts of the country with some local authorities having significant levels of applications on hand.
“And so, I am strongly encouraging these councils to utilise the funding announced today, and complete the repair works on the selected roads as soon as possible in consultation with residents and landowners.”
Laois’s Government TDs have warmly welcomed the announcement.
“Laois County Council have already consulted with local communities in Laois relation to this scheme,” said Minister for State Sean Fleming.
“The application was submitted by the Council to the Department for Rural and Community Development for funding under this scheme. I am pleased that this level of funding has been approved by the Government for rural roads in Laois,” added Deputy Charlie Flanagan.
“I would encourage everyone who feels that their rural roads and laneways can come under this scheme, to contact Laois County Council immediately, so their application can be considered for the next round of funding in the coming year.”
Eligible Roads
Eligible roads under the Local Improvement Scheme are:
- non-public roads that provide access to parcels of agricultural land, or provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons; or
- Non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountains, etc.
Non Eligible Roads
Non-eligible roads include:
- Roads serving only houses or buildings occupied or used by persons not engaged in agriculture, and
- Roads leading to commercial enterprises
Local contribution
The financial contribution provided by the household/landowner is set at:
– 10% of the estimated cost for eligible roads with up to and including five households/landowners, and
– 15% for those roads with six or more households/landowners.
The maximum amount that any household/landowner is required to contribute is capped at €1,200
Eligible Roads
Eligible roads under the Local Improvement Scheme are:
- non-public roads that provide access to parcels of agricultural land, or provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons.; or
- Non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountains, etc.
Non Eligible Roads
Non-eligible roads include:
- Roads serving only houses or buildings occupied or used by persons not engaged in agriculture, and
- Roads leading to commercial enterprises
Local contribution
The financial contribution provided by the household/landowner is set at:
- 10% of the estimated cost for eligible roads with up to and including 5 households/landowners, and
- 15% for those roads with 6 or more households/landowners.
- The maximum amount that any household/landowner is required to contribute is capped at €1,200
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