Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016
415. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding available in 2017 for the development of new walking routes; the method by which this will be disbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36890/16]
View answerMy Department administers the Walks Scheme, under which landholders receive modest payments to maintain sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands.
A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme, and the number of participants receiving payments under the scheme currently stands at 1,912.
Payments in 2016 to participants who maintain sections of trail that traverse their lands will be in the region of €1.8 million. These payments are disbursed through the Local Development Company network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to double the number of walks and to increase the number of walks covered by the Walks Scheme. My officials will be working towards this objective in 2017. However, due to the consultations required with landholders, the significant increase in the number of walks covered by the scheme is more likely to come to fruition in 2018. I would, therefore, anticipate that the funding required in 2017 will be in the order of €2 million.
