Millions needed to clear LIS waiting list in Leitrim

Calls for urgent funding have been made to address the backlog in the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) waiting list, which provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on non-publicly maintained roads.

Cllr Gary Prior proposed that the Council request meetings with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, to seek additional funding for the LIS, and with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to request enhanced funding for the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) in the county.

In 2024, nine roads under the LIS were completed, with 152 still remaining. Cllr Prior told members that over an eight year period from 2017 to 2024, 143 roads were completed. 

He also noted that from 2017 to 2023, the cost of completing those 143 roads exceeded €4 million. In 2024, the nine roads cost €634,000.

“Between those years the cost has almost doubled, it’s almost €70,000 a road compared to over €30,000 a road previous to that,” he said.

“This is going to take a major once-off payment,” Cllr Prior stated. 

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“It's a very good scheme but unfortunately with 152 roads left on the scheme it’s going to take in the region of 10 years to clear and at a cost of around €10 million,” he added.

The LIS is currently closed to new applicants due to the large number already on the waiting list. It will remain closed until those existing applicants are processed and completed.

Cllr Prior referred to the LIS backlog as a “serious problem on our hands.” His motion received support from several councillors, highlighting the recurring nature of the issue.

“The only answer is a once off payment to try and clear the backlog,” Cllr Mary Bohan commented.

Cllr Enda McGloin noted that the Government department with the smallest budget is responsible for funding the LIS, adding, “that is where the problem lies.”

Justin Fannon, Director of Services for Economic Development, Regeneration, Sustainable Transport and Emergency Services explained that the LIS scoring system prioritises larger projects.

He said the decision to work through the existing list before reopening the scheme was made in the interest of fairness, to ensure those already at the top of the list maintain their position.

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