Major boost as over €1m in funding is secured to improve non-public roads in Clare

A major funding boost has been announced for Clare roads under the Local Improvement Scheme. 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Dara Calleary has allocated an additional €788,498 for improving private roads and laneways, with a focus on farms and rural homes in particular. 

A further €869,901 was allocated to Clare roads earlier this year, adding up to €1,658,399 in total for 2025. 

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Mr Calleary said: “We must continue to invest in our non-public roads across our country. Access to rural homes and farms, alongside the access to outdoor amenities here across both counties is crucial and this substantial funding will help enhance the accessibility to those amenities for locals and visitors alike.”

Local Improvement scheme funds are administered by county councils who hold responsibility for the selection and prioritisation of roads. Applications for the roads are received directly by local authorities, who engage with recipients of the scheme.

Roads eligible for the scheme include private roads providing access to parcels of land, and non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, and mountains.

The Local Improvement Scheme has reached over 20,000 landowners and rural people across the country, with 4,800 roads upgraded, according to government communications.