Extra €260,000 will help address waiting list for important service in rural Kilkenny
Funding announced for Local Infrastructure Scheme
Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Deputy Peter Chap Cleere, is this morning welcoming the announcement by Minister Dara Calleary of an additional €593,074 for Carlow and Kilkenny under the Local Improvement Scheme.
Deputy Cleere said the Local Improvement Scheme is vital for the improvement of accessibility to non-public roads and laneways across Carlow/Kilkenny.
“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.
He added: “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.
Allocations per county have been based on the level of work each local authority indicated could be completed by the year’s end. The Local Improvement Scheme has seen over 20,000 landowners and rural residents’ benefit, with over 4800 roads upgraded.
A further distribution of €14 million in funding for 2025 has brought the total budget under the Local Improvement Scheme to over €30 million for this year alone - the highest level since the scheme was reintroduced in 2017.
“This investment announced today will improve access to rural homes, farms and outdoor amenities across Carlow/Kilkenny. This will be most welcome news by the people of Carlow and Kilkenny and improve their accessibility across both counties.
To conclude, Deputy Cleere went on to say that he will work closely alongside both County Council's to ensure the delivery of the works by the end of the year.