Donegal allocated €1.23 million under Local Improvement Scheme

Donegal is to receive €1,234,690 under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) for 2026.

The allocation is the third highest in the country after Cork (€1,420,380) and Galway (€1,346,620) and will go towards the upgrading of rural roads and laneways.

Welcoming the allocation, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said: “This allocation for Donegal also includes €100,000 for the islands. This is essential funding to improve road access to homes and farms in rural areas across Donegal.

“The funding for Donegal is part of an overall package of €17.5 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary.”

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) was reintroduced in September 2017 and almost €184 million has already been provided for works on over 5,500 roads.

The latest funding announced by Minister Calleary will bring that total to over €201 million. Local authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme, in consultation with residents/landowners.

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The funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will be complemented by a local financial contribution from households/landowners who are beneficiaries under the scheme.

The maximum amount that any household/landowner is required to contribute is capped at €1,200 where all beneficiaries contribute.

“This an extremely beneficial scheme in that the homeowners and farmers who use lanes make a small local contribution and the Government provides the balance of funding to ensure that people can continue to access their homes and farms on good quality surfaces,” the Donegal Minister of State commented.