Kilkenny roads to benefit from €290,000 boost under Local Improvement Scheme

Kilkenny is to get €290,565 for local improvement works on smaller, rural roads, according to Fine Gael junior minister John Paul Phelan.

The announcement is part of a nationwide scheme announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, which sees a further €7.4 million in funding for local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to support the improvement of non-public rural roads. The LIS is about improving small roads and laneways in rural Ireland which are not maintained by the local authorities.

"I cannot overstate how important these roads are to people in rural areas. They enable them to access their homes and farms but many have fallen into disrepair," said the Carlow-Kilkenny TD.

“This investment brings to €17.4 million, the amount invested by the Government in non-public rural lanes, boreens and access roads this year. I’m delighted that Kilkenny is to get €290,565 for works and Carlow will receive €190,460.

“These roads provide vital access to homes and farms as well as amenities such as lakes and rivers. 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."