Imelda Munster
Question:1701. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in each of the years 2006 to 2017. [37674/17]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2017
Questions (1701, 1750)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1750. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation under the rural recreation scheme each year since it was established; and the amount of funding sought under the scheme. [38420/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1701 and 1750 together.
I introduced the Rural Recreation Scheme as a formal programme in 2016; it was re-titled the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2017. The scheme supports the development and promotion of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing recreational infrastructure throughout rural Ireland.
I understand that prior to 2016, funding in relation to this type of intervention was done on a case-by-case basis with submissions made by relevant stakeholders involved in promoting and maintaining walks and trails across Ireland. Some small amounts were allocated on the basis of these submissions, but there was no formal scheme in place and no defined allocation.
In 2016, 221 applications were received under the scheme, requesting total funding of €17.6 million. A total of €7.4 million was approved for 117 projects.
The 2017 scheme was launched last April, with applications invited under three Measures:
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development.
376 applications for funding were received under these measures, with a total value in excess of €27 million. To date, 219 projects with a value of €11.4 million have been approved under measures 1 and 3, and these will be implemented over a 15 month period. Successful projects under measure 2 have yet to be announced.
The number of projects approved for funding each year is contingent on the budgetary provision available.