I want to draw the Tánaiste’s attention to the urgent and growing need for increased funding for the community involvement scheme and the local improvement scheme, particularly in Sligo-Leitrim and south Donegal. I am sure he is very much aware of this need. The programmes are vital for rural connectivity and safety, yet they remain significantly under-resourced. In 2025, Sligo County Council received €473,000 under the schemes. This allocation allowed for 13 roads to be completed. Meanwhile, 103 additional schemes remain on the waiting list, affecting communities that have been waiting year after year for essential upgrades. The estimated cost of addressing this backlog now exceeds €5 million. This figure continues to rise and roads continue to deteriorate. To make meaningful progress to ensure rural communities will not be left behind, at least €2 million will be required annually over the coming years. Without investment at this level, the backlog will persist indefinitely and the gap between need and delivery will only widen. I strongly appeal to the Department to increase the funding for the local improvement and community involvement schemes in Sligo-Leitrim and south Donegal so essential local infrastructure can be upgraded for the communities that both need it and that have waited for far too long. These people pay the same taxes as everyone else in the country and deserve the same treatment as everyone else.

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