€4.5 million in additional funds for local and regional roads – Deering

Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, has welcomed the news that €4.5 million in funding is being provided to local authorities for regional and local road works under the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS).

“I am delighted that Carlow roads are to receive funding from the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) again this year. Minister Varadkar confirmed in the Dáil today that he is allocating an additional €4.5 million to the CIS, on top of the €2.3 million previously allocated in 2013.

“The CIS funded 13 road works projects in Carlow in 2013 covering 8 kms. This scheme was designed to fund works on local roads which would usually only be considered for funding towards the end of a Council’s road programme, after more heavily trafficked routes had been worked on. 

“In total 299 projects were completed around the country in 2013, resulting in the improvement of over 178kms of road that ordinarily wouldn’t be considered by a local authority until all public roads are dealt with.

“It is crucial that we maintain and improve our local and regional roads. Maintenance works such as those provided for under the CIS ensure that local people travel on safer roads and have a better driving experience. It is also particularly important for our tourism industry that visitors can access smaller towns and villages around the country on a well maintained road network.”