Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2009
346 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that is being made in developing walking trails under the national countryside recreation strategy; the role of the rural social scheme in the development of rural recreation; the progress made in the operation of the walks scheme in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/09]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that good progress has been made in developing walking trails as part of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. In the case of my own Department, we have successfully introduced the Walks Scheme, in consultation with Comhairle Na Tuaithe, for the development, enhancement and maintenance of Waymarked Ways and other priority walks. Currently there are 18 walks in the Scheme with 1,091 participant landholders. Thanks to the efforts of Comhairle Na Tuaithe in implementing the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and those of other key stakeholders in this area, the number of walks available is constantly increasing. Details are available on the Discover Ireland and CoillteOutdoors websites. Figures provided by Fáilte Ireland in relation to walking tourism are very encouraging, with over 500,000 walkers visiting Ireland in 2008. These figures also indicate that the numbers of walkers visiting the country are increasing year-on-year, despite the difficulties in some areas of tourism.
The input of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) in this area has been very beneficial. Specifically, one of the measures carried out by the RSS participants is the maintenance and enhancement of way-marked ways, agreed walks and bog roads. Whilst the landholders who participate in the Walks Scheme are responsible for the routine maintenance work, it is the RSS participants that undertake the more onerous maintenance work, such as the installation of stiles and bridges.
The Walks Scheme in County Cork is implemented by West Cork Development Partnership. Currently 468 participant landholders on the Walks Scheme provide maintenance on 177 km of trail on the Beara Way and the Sheep's Head Way. The Sheep's Head was awarded the European Destination of Excellence award in 2009. The competition was designed for destinations that have developed the tourism potential of their protected areas in a sustainable manner. The local Rural Recreation Officer reports strong commitment and co-operation from the participant landholders who have developed, maintained and enhanced these trails to a very high standard. Increased resources available for maintenance from the Walks Scheme and the involvement of the Rural Recreation Officer have underpinned this progress.
