While passing on the news of this announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald included a cover note pertinent to the Castleisland Electoral Area.
“The doubling of funding for the Local Improvement Scheme from €10.5 million to €21 million is very welcome,” said Cllr. Fitzgerald.
“There are over 700 roads on the waiting list for this scheme in Kerry with a lot in the Castleisland Electoral Area.
“I hope that Kerry County Council receives a reasonable portion of this increased funding as there are many families on roads waiting on this scheme who are having to use roads that are in very poor condition on a daily basis.
“The rate by which these type of roads are improved and upgraded is very slow and frustrating for all involved including local politicians making representations on behalf of the residents involved.
“I hope that this increased funding makes an improvement in getting through the list of those waiting on this scheme,” said Cllr. Fitzgerald.
Minister Norma Foley Welcomes the Renewed Funding
Also commenting on the announcement, Minister for Education Norma Foley welcomed the funding.
“It is a vital investment in rural communities across Kerry. This funding will provide upgrade works and improvements to rural homes and farms as well as access to the world class outdoor amenities on our door-steps,” she said.
Minister Humphreys: Increased Funding – A Key Deliverable in ‘Our Rural Future’
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced an increased investment to €21 million for upgrade works on non-public roads in rural communities.
The announcement doubles the original €10.5m budget which had been allocated for investment under the 2021 Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
Access to Rural Homes and Farms
This will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.
The focus of the scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and lane-ways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents.
The scheme was relaunched in 2017 and over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland have benefitted to date.
Strong Demand for Scheme
Announcing the additional funding, Minister Humphreys said that there is strong demand for the Local Improvement Scheme right across the country.
“Funding for the scheme was discontinued for a number of years and I know that this has led to a backlog in roads that require improvement works.
“That is why I am delighted to be in a position to double the level of funding available for the Local Improvement Scheme this year to €21 million. The roads that will be maintained through this investment are vital for access to homes and farms in rural Ireland.”
Level of Demand
Minister Humphreys added: “My Department is engaging with each of the local authorities to establish the level of demand that can be met in each county before year end.
“Once that process is complete, I will announce the specific allocations to be provided to each county from this increased funding.
“As part of Our Rural Future the government has committed to increasing our investment in the repair of non-public roads through the Local Improvement Scheme.
“With this funding announcement, we will have invested €80 million in upgrading works on these roads since 2017.”
Consultation With Residents/Landowners
The additional funding will be delivered in the same manner as previously. Local authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme, in consultation with residents/landowners.
The works must be completed before the end of the year.
€1,200 Cap on Local Contributions
The funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development will be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/householders, as well as local authority resources.
There will be a cap of €1,200 on the amount that any individual householder or landowner will be asked to contribute towards the cost of repairs to their road.
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