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Local Improvement Scheme

Your council pays for the bulk of the work on a private lane or non-public road, and the people on the road pay a small local contribution of 10% or 15%, capped at €1,200 per beneficiary as long as every beneficiary pays their share.

Last checked October 2026

What it is

Improves a private lane or back road serving homes or farms, including a road used to harvest turf or seaweed. The council covers most of the cost and the people on the road pay a small share. Apply through your local authority. Your share is 10% of the cost on a road with up to five beneficiaries, or 15% with six or more, worked out after the council adds up to 10% for its own expenses. A beneficiary is any owner or occupier of agricultural land, or resident on the road, who benefits from the works. Each share is capped at €1,200, but only if every beneficiary contributes. In the department's own example five neighbours pay €1,200 each. If one of them opts out, the other four pay €1,500 each, because the total stays the same. Free labour or materials do not count towards the contribution. Once the work is finished the beneficiaries have to maintain the road at their own expense. Roads leading to community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers and mountain access points can qualify too.

Who can get it

The road is private or non-public and is not maintained by the council
It provides access to two or more separately owned or occupied parcels of land, at least one used for farming, or is used to harvest by two or more people
The households or landowners on the road can cover the small local contribution between them

Good to know

Your share is 10% of the cost on a road with up to 5 beneficiaries, or 15% with 6 or more, worked out after the council adds up to 10% for its own expenses. It is capped at €1,200 per beneficiary ONLY IF every beneficiary contributes. If some opt out the total does not fall, so the ones who pay are asked for more: in the department's own example, four neighbours pay €1,500 each when a fifth opts out.
You apply to the Roads section of your local county council, each council runs its own list and deadlines.
Demand is high and funding is allocated each year, so a road can sit on the list for a while before it is done.
Free labour or materials do not count towards your contribution. Once the work is finished, the beneficiaries have to maintain the road at their own expense.

How to apply

Applications go through DRCD. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

How much do I have to pay under the Local Improvement Scheme?

A local contribution of 10% (roads with up to 5 beneficiaries) or 15% (6 or more), worked out after the council adds up to 10% for its own expenses. It is capped at €1,200 per beneficiary as long as every beneficiary contributes. If some do not, the others pay more, because the total contribution stays the same. The council pays the rest.

What roads qualify?

Private or non-public lanes and back roads that the council does not maintain, serving two or more separately owned or occupied parcels of land with at least one used for farming, or used by two or more people to harvest turf or seaweed. Roads leading to community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers and mountain access points can qualify too.

How do I apply?

Contact the Roads section of your local county council. Each council runs its own application list and deadlines.

How long does it take?

Demand is high and funding is allocated yearly, so a road can be on the list for some time before the works are carried out.

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