Cork County Council to receive more than €1m in additional funding for upgrades to rural roads

Cork County Council is to receive more than €1m in additional funding for upgrades to rural roads and lanes, almost doubling its total allocation this year.

The council is be given a supplementary €1,167,898, on top of the €1,163,479 already allocated.

This brings to €2,331,377 the total amount allocated to the county under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).

Nationally, supplementary allocations worth €14m have been added to the initial allocations totalling €16,550,000, bringing the complete national outlay under the LIS to €30,550,000 in 2025.

Since the LIS was reintroduced in September 2017, almost €170m has been provided for works on over 4,800 roads. The additional funding announced for 2025 will bring that total to approximately €184m.

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister of state at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, said the €30m made available to local authorities this year represented the highest annual funding level since the scheme was re-introduced.

“This additional funding demonstrates our commitment to improving connectivity for rural residents – whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities,” he said.

Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, said he had been delighted to be informed of the additional funding by rural and community development minister Dara Calleary.

“Access to rural homes and farms, alongside the access to outdoor amenities here across Cork is crucial for our county and this substantial funding will help enhance the accessibility to those amenities for locals and visitors alike,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

John Paul O’Shea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, said he had worked closely with both Mr Buttimer and Mr Calleary to ensure Cork received a strong allocation.

“This is fantastic news for communities across rural Cork. The LIS plays a vital role in improving access to rural homes, farms, and outdoor amenities across the county,” he said.

Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, said rural roads and laneways were often the first roads locals travelled on each morning and the last they took on their way home each evening, making them a vital part of our local rural road network.

“This investment announced today will improve access to rural homes, farms and outdoor amenities across Cork. This will be most welcome news by the people of Cork and improve their accessibility across the county,” Mr Moynihan said.

The works must be completed before the end of the year.