Over half a million euro in additional funding secured to improve private roads in Carlow

A major funding boost to improve private roads across Carlow has been announced under the Local Improvement Scheme. 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Dara Calleary says the additional funding of €328,537 will go to improving private roads in Carlow, with a focus on farms and rural homes in particular. 

The announcement means the total allocation for Carlow for 2025 is €702,016.

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Mr Calleary said: “We must continue to invest in our non-public roads across our country. Access to rural homes and farms, alongside the access to outdoor amenities here across both counties is crucial and this substantial funding will help enhance the accessibility to those amenities for locals and visitors alike.”

Local Improvement scheme funds are administered by county councils who hold responsibility for the selection and prioritisation of roads. Applications for the roads are received directly by local authorities, who engage with recipients of the scheme.

The Local Improvement Scheme has reached over 20,000 landowners and rural people, with 4,800 roads upgraded across the country, according to government communications. 

Fellow Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow and Kilkenny, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has welcomed the announcement saying: “I am delighted to be informed by my party colleague, Minister Dara Calleary, of an additional €328,537 for County Carlow and €264,537 for county Kilkenny under the Local Improvement Scheme.”

“This funding is in addition to the already allocated €373,479 for Carlow and €552,025 for Kilkenny this year, bringing the total for both counties to €1,518,578.”