Cavan and Monaghan’s rural roads network boosted by €2m cash injection

Details surrounding the €2.1m investment made under the State’s Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) was made earlier today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

Just over €1.2m has been ring-fenced for Cavan with almost €940,000 being set aside for rural road and laneway improvements in Monaghan.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth said the funding was much needed, adding how recent amendments to the scheme would allow greater scope for would be local households to seek approval for funding.

“The funding allocation for 2024/2025 for such roads across Cavan-Monaghan under the Local Improvement Scheme will make a huge difference in terms of access and connectivity,” she said.

“We are all familiar with the roads and laneways within our own communities that are full of potholes and in desperate need of repair. The funding being delivered under this scheme will help to address this.

"Local authorities will have greater flexibility to use their allocations throughout 2024 and 2025 than previously.

"Additionally, the LIS criteria has also been amended so that only one herd number will be required for a valid LIS application.

“Up to now, two herd numbers were required to be using the lane. This change has been made in response to feedback received from local representatives and it will ensure that more families can now qualify for the scheme.”

The announcement forms part of a record funding allocation of €40m for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways nationwide.

Ms Humphreys, who herself is a Cavan-Monaghan TD, said the scheme represented a “critical source” of funding for small non-public roads that were otherwise not maintained by local authorities.