Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

Questions (24)

Alan Dillon

Question:

24. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support her Department is providing to cater for the demand for outdoor recreation infrastructure which has become ever more apparent during Covid-19. [27879/21]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

As part of Our Rural Future, I want to see rural Ireland become a destination of choice domestically and internationally for outdoor pursuits . The availability of quality and accessible outdoor infrastructure is vital for both local residents and visitors alike.

Since 2016, my Department has allocated almost €68 million to nearly 1,000 projects through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This includes almost €16 million for 226 projects approved earlier this year.

My Department also provides in the region of €2 million annually to fund the maintenance and improvement of trails and other amenities in Coillte forests.

This investment has never been more important. That is why I was pleased to secure a 20% increase in the budget available to my Department for Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure in 2021.

I launched the 2021 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on 23rd April last in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland. Funding is available for projects of varying scale, with a maximum of up to €500,000 for strategic large scale projects.

While the scheme will continue to support our trails, cycleways and blueways, I want to see more applications coming forward which will develop and improve access to rural Ireland’s unique, natural amenities such as our lakes, rivers and beaches, as well as our forests and mountains.

I am also pleased to announce that I am allocating an additional €123,000 in 2021 to Local Development Companies to cover additional materials and maintenance costs on trails included in my Department’s Walks scheme. This represents a 50% increase in such funding.

Finally, one of the recommendations in Our Rural Future is to develop a National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, and work in this regard is currently underway.