More locals roads funding is sought for Mayo

Councillors in Ballina have agreed to write to the two ministers responsible for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to ask for an increase in funding to Mayo, writes Paul O'Malley.

Fine Gael Cllr John O’Hara called for "the Minister of the Day" to allocate more LIS roads funding to Mayo and said it was a disgrace no allocation has been received yet in 2025.

“We all know the allocation for LIS came last year but no money has been received this year. I think it’s a disgrace we have no money this year," Cllr O'Hara told last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District.  “Everyone here has someone calling them every day looking for money for LIS roads. Everyone is paying their tax and everyone is entitled to get that chance to repair roads in their area.” 

Cllr O'Hara called on all local TDs and Ministers to "fight for Mayo" in this regard.

“I want them to come with a substantial figure of LIS funding to get the work done in the back end of the year.” 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Annie May Reape said while she agreed that a greater LIS allocation was needed she “could not let Cllr O’Hara’s comments go” because LIS was the responsibility of her party colleagues Ministers Dara Calleary (Rural and Community Development) and Jack Chambers (Public Expenditure).

“Not many years ago your own party abolished LIS under Leo Varadkar. He didn’t want it, he’s a city boy,” she said. “I do agree, we need an increase in LIS but I couldn’t let that go. When Éamon Ó Cuív was Minister, we got €80,000 each for LIS.”