Changes to the popular Local Improvement Scheme has been likened to giving with one hand and taking with the other. Under the scheme, known as LIS, farmers can apply for a grant to re-surface the laneways to their farms. Those who have already availed of LIS praise the work carried out as high-spec and long-lasting.
County Monaghan received €1m in funding for LIS from the government in 2022 and 2023. This year the criteria to get on the scheme was relaxed, a move that was welcomed by all in Monaghan County Council. But now, the funding for LIS in the county has been reduced by 40 per cent causing councillors to question the logic in relaxing the criteria while at the same time reducing the funding.
Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ O'Hanlon said Monaghan County Council is currently working through the 2018 list of applicants so any funding cut will add years to the waiting list:
