New funding of over €300k for rural Carlow roads among lowest allocations country-wide

Over €300,000 for the repair and improvement of Carlow's rural roads and laneways has been confirmed. 

It's part of a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding package of over €12million which was announced today (February 13) by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

The investment will support vital road infrastructure across Ireland and provide access to homes and farms, as well as amenities such as rivers and lakes. 

The minister said, "I am delighted to announce €12.55 million in funding to improve hundreds of roads and laneways in towns and villages across Rural Ireland.

"Local connectivity is absolutely vital for our rural communities and this investment will benefit the lives of families in every single county." 

The largest funding amount of €1,204,736 has been allocated to Galway, followed by €1,065,151 for Cork, €1,004,736 for Mayo and €940,509 for Donegal. 

Waterford received the lowest allocation (€269,062), followed by Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth and Monaghan, all of which received €304,736. 

Funding allotted to each county is as follows: 

Minister Humphreys continued: "We all know parts of rural Ireland that can be difficult to access because the road or laneway is in need of repair. The Local Improvement Scheme is about making people’s lives that bit easier, ensuring we have good access to homes, farms and our local amenities.

"This is what ‘Our Rural Future’ is all about – ensuring more and more people can live work and raise a family in rural communities throughout Ireland.” 

For the first time under the scheme, €500,000 has also been ringfenced to support rural roads on offshore islands. 

One hundred thousand euro will be shared among Árainn Mhór, Inis Bó Finne, Inis Fraoigh, Toraigh and Gabhla in Donegal, with €10,000 for Coney in Sligo, €50,000 for Clare Island, Inis Bigil, Inishcottle, Inishlyre, Inisturk, and Clynish in Mayo, and €140,000 for Bere, Cléire, Dursey, Heir, Long, Sherkin and Whiddy in Galway. 

Two hundred and fifty thousand euro will also be shared among Inishbofin, Árainn, Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin, Inis Bearacháin, Inis Treabhair, Inse Ghainimh and Omey in Galway. 

Minister Humphreys said, "Having visited many of our offshore islands in recent months, I know that there are many road projects in need of investment.

"This is the first time that the islands have been specifically included in the Local Improvement Scheme, which demonstrates my commitment to enhancing island life.”

She concluded: "Since this scheme was reintroduced in 2017, over 3,700 roads have been funded for repair works. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 16,000 landowners and residents.

"I would urge each local authority to use the funding announced today and complete the repair works on the selected roads as soon as possible.”  

Today's announcement by Minister Humphreys means some €112 million has now been allocated to local authorities under the LIS since it was re-introduced in 2017.