Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1129. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on providing additional funding to local authorities specifically to provide for the development of visitor facilities at beaches and inland waterways in anticipation of significant domestic tourism in summer 2021, including bins, bike parking and infrastructure to make sites more accessible such as toilets and ramps. [9970/21]
View answerSince 2016, my Department has allocated almost €55.2 million to 920 projects through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The scheme invests in physical infrastructure that underpins recreational activities based on the use of the resources of the countryside. This investment is making a significant contribution to supporting healthy, active lifestyles while also building the economic and tourism potential of rural areas.
The scheme 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. It can also support the type of infrastructure for beaches and inland waterways referred to by the Deputy. The scheme is delivered through Local Authorities, Local Development Companies and State agencies, depending on the nature and scale of the measure in question and in accordance with the guidelines for the scheme which are published annually.
Continued investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure has never been more important and I was pleased to secure a 20% increase in funding for ORIS in 2021. Exchequer funding for the scheme this year will be €12 million, compared to €10 million in 2020. The scheme is also supported with additional funding in the order of €4 million per annum from Fáilte Ireland, who are partners with my Department in delivering the scheme.
