€1.5m funding allocation for repairs on county’s rural roads and laneways
Pic: iStock
Funding of €1,541,106 has been allocated for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways in Roscommon.
The funding was announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD as part of €40 million for repairs under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
Minister Humphreys said this investment demonstrated her continued commitment to vital road infrastructure in rural Ireland, providing access to people’s homes and farms.
Local Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan said the funding would contribute to development of rural communities in Roscommon.
“This allocation of over €1.5 million under the Local Improvement Scheme for County Roscommon is a game-changer for people living on private roads all over the county. It targets road access to homes and farms, which is fundamental for families and farmers all over who need better quality roads. We have many smaller roads, laneways and boreens across the county that have been upgraded thanks to this fund.
She thanked local councillors for their work on this funding provision, and in particular her Fine Gael colleagues, Cllr Liam Callaghan and Cllr John Naughton on their work with local communities.
“I want to acknowledge the work of Minister Heather Humphreys in the Department of Rural & Community Development which provides this funding for local roads to the County Councils. This funding initiative was introduced by Fine Gael in government in 2017 and to back families living in rural areas. Between 2017 and 2023 over €130 million has been allocated to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
“In County Roscommon alone over 250 local roads have received funding from 2017 to 2023 and this investment has been crucial in terms of access for so many families all across the county.
“There is a major adjustment this time to the LIS criteria, where now only one herd number is required for a valid application, a change from the previous requirement of two.
“This amendment will substantially increase the number of eligible families and farms, facilitating broader access to this crucial funding. This responsive adjustment, made after listening to feedback reflects Fine Gael's adaptive approach to meeting rural development needs.
“Furthermore, the extension allowing local authorities to utilise their funding allocation across both 2024 and 2025 provides the necessary flexibility to schedule works during favourable weather conditions, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in improving our rural infrastructure.
"I encourage all eligible residents in Roscommon to engage with their local authority to benefit from this opportunity," Senator Dolan concluded.
Welcoming the funding, Senator Murphy said: “Good roads are absolutely vital for our rural communities, providing access to people’s homes and farms. The funding allocation for 2024/2025 for such roads in Roscommon 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 to address this.
"Local authorities will have greater flexibility to use their allocations throughout 2024 and 2025 than previously.
"Additionally, the LIS criteria has also been amended so that only one herd number will be required for a valid LIS application. Up to now, two herd numbers were required to be using the lane. This change has been made in response to feedback received from local representatives and it will ensure that more families can now qualify for the scheme.
“This investment is a clear example of Fianna Fáil's continued commitment in Government to supporting rural communities,” Senator Murphy said.
