Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called on the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to commit funding from his Department towards the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
The scheme, which is currently solely funded by the Department of Rural Development, funds the upgrade of rural roads and laneways which are not maintained by local authorities.
Having raised the issue with Minister Heather Humphreys this week, Deputy Kerrane said there has been a backlog of LIS applications in local authorities across the state.
The scheme was previously fully funded by the Department of Transport and Deputy Kerrane has asked many times that they begin providing an allocation.
She said it ‘can and should be a joint venture’ by both Departments and that this will not only clear the current backlogs but will put the scheme on a more sustainable footing going forward.
“I understand that the Department of Rural Development is currently engaging with local authorities on the number of outstanding applications and I await these figures. However, backlogs for this scheme are not new,” said the Sinn Féin TD.
“I am calling on Minister Ryan to commit funding from his Department to make a contribution to the Local Improvement Scheme.
“Given the importance of these roads and laneways for access for both families and farmers in rural communities, his Department should be contributing to this scheme.”
