Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
57. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if there are timelines for the commencement of the project; if the funding is at risk of being lost if it remains unused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8477/22]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure. Louth County Council were approved funding of €200,000 under the ORIS 2019 Scheme for the development and enhancement of the Boyne Greenway. However, to date, no funding has been drawn down on this project.
Last year, Louth County Council requested permission to revise the scope of the approved works. This amendment was approved by my Department subject to a Project Implementation Plan being submitted. This plan was received by my Department and indicates an expected end date for completion of works of December 2022.
Louth County Council have recently advised that a Natura Impact Statement is being developed, which is the next step to enable the project to proceed. My Department will continue to engage with Louth County Council with a view to monitoring the targets and timelines set out in the Implementation Plan.
