East Galway TD Seán Canney has welcomed the launch today by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, and Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improvement works on private/non-public roads.

“Galway County Council received €942,000 which is the second highest allocation in the country. It is a welcome boost for rural areas and County Galway” states Deputy Canney.

‘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’.

“I am delighted that this scheme has been put in place as it is part of the Programme for Government.”

‘It’s only right and fair that some of the motor tax, excise duty on fuel and local property tax paid by people in rural areas is invested in the repair of shared laneways that connect their homes, farms and businesses to the public road network. It will be funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and delivered through local authorities.

“I am encouraging the Local Authority to implement this Programme and spend this money without delay. The upkeep of these roads is a priority for people who live in rural Ireland” concludes Deputy Canney.