I stand here today to respectfully request that additional funding be allocated to the local improvement scheme, LIS, in 2025 to address the long waiting list for the scheme in every county across Ireland, particularly in my home county of Cork. There are currently thousands of applications on hand within local authorities, many dating back five years or more. I urge the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to consider this request for increased funding for the LIS. This investment will yield significant returns through improved road infrastructure for people living on these roads and it will also improve road safety. It will strengthen the rural development outcomes we should all be working towards.

Sentiment score: 0.53