Over €1.2 Million Secured for Rural Roads in County Cork

County Cork is set to receive €1,206,620 in funding to improve rural roads and laneways, following the announcement of the 2026 Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) allocation.

The funding forms part of a €17.55 million national package for rural roads, which represents an increase of €2 million on the previous year's scheme.

Fine Gael Senator Eileen Lynch, Cork North West, welcomed the allocation, saying the investment would make a real difference for rural communities across the county.

Senator Eileen Lynch said:

"I'm delighted to see funding announced for rural roads and laneways in Cork County. The funding will see our laneways and non-public roads in Cork receive improved access to homes, farms and outdoor amenities."

The Local Improvement Scheme provides grants to local authorities to carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads, which would not otherwise receive maintenance funding. Local authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising the roads most in need of works, in consultation with local residents and landowners.

Senator Lynch noted that landowners and farmers can make a modest contribution towards improvement works, with the scheme covering the remainder of the costs.

Senator Lynch added:

"Farmers and homeowners who use a laneway to access parts of their land can make a small contribution to the improvement and the scheme provides the rest. This ensures that they can access their homes on better quality roads."

Cork's total allocation rises to €1,346,620 when combined with €140,000 in ring-fenced island funding, placing the county among the highest recipients nationally alongside Galway and Donegal.