Tim O’Leary, IFA Countryside Chairman, has requested that the Department of Transport increase the roads repair budget and ring fence funding by using additional funds from motor tax for the maintenance of local roads.

Over the past four years estimated additions of 75,000 cars are travelling on the roads which have increased the motor tax paid by €17 million.

Over the same period of time, roads in rural areas have begun to worsen. Because of the condition of the roads many families are finding it difficult in accessing services and couriers have stopped calling to houses because of the poor condition of the roads.

The government funding of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), which funds repairs on local roads, has been reduced considerably in recent years. Because of these changes roads in rural areas are being left in poor condition and have become unsafe for road users.