A €10 million programme has been launched to support the improvement of non-public rural roads in 2017 in Ireland.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports improvement works on private/non-public roads. Often the 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.

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The Taoiseach said: "I'm delighted that Minister Ring has launched a new round of the Local Improvement Scheme. It's a really effective scheme to improve small roads, laneways and boreens which don’t come under the control of local authorities. These roads give access to homes, farmyards, agricultural land and business premises, and are often heavily used, but because they fall outside of direct local authority control, many need upgrading.

"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. I pressed for its inclusion in the current Programme for a Partnership Government. So I commend Minister Ring for re-launching the scheme so soon after his appointment. It will be funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and delivered through local authorities."

(CD/LM)