Fianna Fáil is calling for £4.5 million to be invested in the Local Improvement Scheme every year after it was suspended by the previous government in 2011.

The scheme is aimed at restoring and repairing isolated roads and lanes in Ireland which have not been taken in charge by local authorities.

TD for Wexford James Browne has asked the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, to reinstate funding for the scheme.

-- Advertisement --

Mr Browne said: "To date the Minister has refused to ring-fence funding for the scheme, despite the fact that many rural roads and laneways are in an awful state of disrepair. The Minister has indicated that he would like to get the scheme up and running again by the end of 2017, but I believe we need to see immediate action on this.

"Our manifesto makes a clear commitment to invest €4.5m in the scheme on an annual basis. This sum of money would provide much needed funding to get rural roads and laneways back up to an acceptable standard. We remain committed to this proposal and I'll continue to pursue the matter with Minister Ross in the Dáil."

(CD/MH)