Local Improvement Scheme and Community Involvement Scheme

The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is a collaborative program between local communities and the Council to fund and carry out maintenance and improvement works on local roads with communities contributing a portion of the costs. This scheme is designed to allow improvement of public roads that may not be included in the Council's main roadworks program.

Communities are required to make a financial contribution (8% of the total costs of works for 2026). Contributions are monetary and paid in advance before the council carries out the approved works.

CIS is subject to funding being made available to the Council from the Department of Transport. This scheme is for road-works on local public roads. Conditions of the scheme may change annually in line with the grant conditions set out by the Department of Transport.

Applications for CIS were accepted in October 2025 for proposed 2026 and 2027 works. Louth County Council is not accepting any further applications for 2026-2027 works at this time. The scheme is expected to reopen for applications in Q4 2027 for 2028 & 2029 works.

Enquires on this scheme may be emailed to: cis@louthcoco.ie

Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides government funding to local authorities for the repair and improvement of Private and Non-Public Rural Roads and laneways, supporting access to homes and farms. This scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. It provides funding for improvement works on small private roads and laneways in rural Ireland which are not maintained by the Local Authorities.

These roads provide access to people’s homes and farms or to amenities such as lakes, rivers or beaches and must be available for use by members of the public i.e. access to the roads must not be inhibited or restricted. The funding provided must be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/householders of between 10%-15% of the total cost of works.

Applications for LIS were accepted in February 2025 for proposed 2025 and 2026 works. Louth County Council is not accepting any further applications for 2026 works at this time.

The Local Improvement Scheme is expected to reopen in Q4 2026 for the receipt of applications relating to 2027 and 2028 works.

For more information, please refer to LIS FAQ's - click here