The main scheme operated by my Department for the specific development of outdoor recreation infrastructure is the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
ORIS provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as cycleways, walking trails, blueways and mountain access routes in rural areas.
The 2020 scheme was launched on the 29th May last and is funded by my Department in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. In response to impact of COVID-19, the 2020 scheme will support recreational infrastructure that provides amenities for local communities and/or delivers added value from a tourism perspective, positioning rural areas to respond to the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
The 2020 scheme has an Exchequer budget of €10 million and will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:
- Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Promotion and Marketing - Grant Amounts: up to €20,000.
- Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development - Grant Amounts: up to €200,000.
- Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development - Grant amounts: up to €500,000.
A grant rate of up to 90% of the project's costs will be available from my Department across all three Measures in 2020. This should ensure that the requirement for communities, Local Authorities and agencies to source matching funding is kept to a minimum.
The closing date for receipt of applications under ORIS Measure 1 is 30th September 2020, while the closing date for applications under Measures 2 and 3 is 30th November 2020.
The Scheme Outline for ORIS 2020 is available on the Gov.ie website at https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/fd0c9f-outdoor-recreation-infrastructure-scheme/.
