Weather factored into €1.1m to upgrade to Laois small rural roads and lanes

Laois has received over €1.1 million under the government's Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)  for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways.

Nationwide a record €40 million LIS allocation was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD on Tuesday. 

Laois is set to receive a €1,106,270 share from that pot. Acess to the fund is set to be widened this year with an amendment to the criteria to qualify for support. The new rules will mean that a lane that is only used by one farmer qualfies. Up to now, two herd numbers were required to be using the lane.

Another flexibility built into the funding announced due to poor weather is that Laois County Council will be able to spend it over 2024 and 2025.

Laois TD and Minister of State Seán Fleming welcomed the funds for works to be carried out on Laois roads not normally maintained by the local authorities.

"This funding supports the improvement, repairs and maintenance works of non-public rural roads and laneways, for homeowners and farmers that live on and use these roads.

"The Government is also amending the application criteria so that only one herd number will be required for a valid LIS application.

"This will make applications more accessible to rural and farming families in Laois and ensure that more families can qualify for the scheme.

"This is welcome news and I look forward to Laois County Council carrying out these works through the LIS scheme on our local rural roads, he said.

Fine Gael's Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan also believes it will make a big difference.

"This allocation of €1,106,270 for Laois is a game-changer for our rural communities. It signifies a profound commitment to enhancing road access to homes and farms, which is fundamental for the daily lives of our residents.

“The scheme, particularly beneficial to our rural and agricultural communities, ensures that everyone in Laois can access their properties on well-maintained roads.

"I am particularly pleased with the adjustment 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 from us, the local representatives, 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 Laois to engage with their local authority to benefit from this opportunity. This investment not only supports our current needs but also lays down a robust foundation for the future prosperity and accessibility of County Laois,” he said.

Speaking as she announced the allocation, Minister Humphreys praised the scheme.

“It’s a fantastic scheme under which the homeowners and farmers who use the lane make a small local contribution and the Government provides the balance of funding to ensure that people can access their homes and farms on good quality surfaces.

Minister Humphreys explained changes this year.

“I am also amending the LIS criteria 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. I am making this change in response to feedback I have received from local representatives and it will ensure that more families can now qualify for the scheme.

“I am also aware that Local Authorities need to carry out LIS works when weather conditions are favorable. In recognition of this and in order to help local authorities better plan their work programmes, I am providing greater flexibility so that Local Authorities can use their allocation throughout 2024 and 2025," she said.

It was recently revealed that Laois roads section outperformed all other councils in delivering Local Improvement Schemes in the past three years. 58 schemes with a total value of €2.6 million have been carried out between 2021 and 2024.