Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
€876,959 has been allocated for repairs and improvement works on non-public roads in rural communities in Co. Galway as part of the Government’s ‘Our Rural Future’ project, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Dolan has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, of a total allocation of €10.5 million for projects across the country. This represents a 5% increase compared to 2020, with every county receiving an increase.
Over €68 million has now been invested under the Local Improvement Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017.
Senator Dolan said: “This is great news for local communities in Co. Galway as the funding announced under the Local Improvement Scheme will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes and rivers.
“The focus of the scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways in Co. Galway that are not normally maintained by local authorities, but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents.
“Since the scheme was re-introduced in 2017, almost 2,400 roads have been funded for repair works across the country. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland,” concluded Senator Dolan
Announcing the €10.5 million in funding, Minister Humphreys said: “As part of ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government has committed to increasing the level of investment in the repair of non-public roads through the Local Improvement Scheme.
“I know there is a significant demand for funding under the Local Improvement Scheme right across the country. That is why I am today announcing increased funding for every county under the scheme; however, I am acutely aware that more is needed. I am working to identify if additional funding can be provided for LIS in 2021 and I would therefore urge each Local Authority to utilise the funding announced today, and complete the repair works on the selected roads, as soon as possible,” concluded Minister Humphreys.
