Local Improvement Scheme

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads. The scheme is also an important part of the delivery of the Government’s Our Rural Future Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. One of the pillars of the action plan focuses on improving rural infrastructure and connectivity.

Eligible roads are those that provide access:

• to parcels of land, of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons, one of which must be for agricultural purposes, or
• for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons, or
• to at least one parcel of land owned or occupied by a person engaged in agricultural activities, AND which separately provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for at least one other person, or
• for amenities such as lakes, rivers or beaches.

If you have a non-public road in need of repair that is not being maintained, please contact your local authority to determine if LIS funding would be available.

Further information about the Local Improvement Scheme is available in the scheme outline:

While the Department provides funding for LIS, the scheme is administered by local authorities who hold responsibility for the selection and prioritisation of roads. Applications are received directly by local authorities, who engage with beneficiaries of the scheme.

Information on funding allocated to local authorities for the Local Improvements scheme can be found here:

Local Improvement Scheme Funding Allocations