€855,000 for LIS roads in Mayo

MINISTER Michael Ring has today (Thursday) launched a €10 million programme to support the improvement of non-public rural roads in 2017. He has allocated €855,000 to Co. Mayo. 
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improvement works on private/non-public roads. Often these roads lead to multiple residences, parcels of land that support agricultural activity or amenities such as lakes, rivers or the ocean.    
The Department of Rural and Community Development will provide up to 90% of the funding through the local authorities, with the remaining contribution coming from local residents, or local authorities in the case of roads leading to public amenities.
Said Minister Ring: “The Local Improvement Scheme is about improving small roads and laneways in rural Ireland which are not under the normal maintenance of the local authorities. For people who live in rural areas, road connectivity is hugely important.  
“The Action Plan for Rural Development prioritises improving rural infrastructure and connectivity. Creating an LIS scheme is just one of the measures we are taking to improve that connectivity. 
“I urge the local authorities to implement this programme and spend this money without delay. The upkeep of these roads is of a priority for people who live in rural Ireland.  
“We haven't been in a position to adequately fund the LIS for the last number of years, but we made a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that we would reinstate the scheme.  
“I am delighted to be in a positon to honour that commitment by allocating these funds.”