Cavan gets €1.2M for fixing rural laneways

Over €40M announced by Minister Humphreys for LIS.

Cavan is to receive more than €1.2 million as part of a record €40 million shot in the arm for funding the repair of rural laneways across Ireland.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, confirmed today (Tuesday) details of the highest ever allocation for improvement works on non-public rural roads under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).

“I am delighted to announce record funding of €40 million for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), which will improve hundreds of rural roads and laneways across the country. And I’m particularly pleased to announce over €1.12 million for projects in Cavan,” said Minister Humphreys.

Neighbouring Monaghan and Longford meanwhile both received €938,444 under the scheme, Leitrim €966,074, and Meath got €1,325,559.

The highest allocations were received by Cork, Donegal and Galway, with seven counties receiving more than €2 million each, and all but five (Monaghan, Longford, Leitrim, Carlow and Louth) getting more than €1 million towards fixing laneways.

“LIS is a critical source of funding for small non-public roads not normally maintained by local authorities,” added Minister Humphreys.

“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.”

The national announcement brings to a total of almost €170 million that has been allocated to local authorities under the Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017. The allocation of funds is for works to be carried out across 2024 and 2025 on roads not normally maintained by the local authorities.

Cavan has the third longest waiting list for road fixes under the current Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), only behind Donegal (1,415) and Kerry (665).

As part of this latest funding announcement Minister Humphreys also revealed the introduction of changes to the LIS criteria, so that only one herd number is required for a valid 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.”

County

Allocation 2024/2025*

Islands allocation 2024/25

Carlow

€938,444

Cavan

€1,209,560

Clare

€2,079,722

Cork

€2,588,444

€280,000

Donegal

€2,588,444

€200,000

Galway

€2,588,444

€500,000

Kerry

€2,569,237

Kildare

€1,074,515

Kilkenny

€1,304,899

Laois

€1,106,270

Leitrim

€966,074

Limerick

€1,689,216

Longford

€938,444

Louth

€938,444

Mayo

€2,554,159

€100,000

Meath

€1,325,559

Monaghan

€938,444

Offaly

€1,264,386

Roscommon

€1,541,106

Sligo

€1,172,667

€20,000

Tipperary

€2,517,026

Waterford

€1,183,358

Westmeath

€1,173,793

Wexford

€1,470,330

Wicklow

€1,279,015

Total

€39,000,000

€1,100,000

Overall Total

€40,100,000

*Local authorities will be contacted directly in relation to the details of the allocation