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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Questions (140)

Pauline Tully

Question:

140. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the provisions that are in place within the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme to ensure that funding is allocated to groups that provide infrastructure which is accessible for disabled persons; if her Department consulted with disabled persons organisations in the formation of this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18037/22]

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Written answers

The Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. The scheme is funded by my Department in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.

The scheme objectives include facilitating the development of outdoor recreational facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities and older people. In developing the scheme my Department has worked with Cara, a national pan-disability sport organisation providing a collaborative and partnership platform to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities across Ireland.

Project applicants under ORIS are required to indicate how the proposed project is inclusive of people with disabilities and older adults, and this forms part of the assessment criteria used to evaluate applications under ORIS.

Cara has developed an extensive range of guidance for the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure e.g. trails, greenways waterways, beaches. ORIS applicants are advised to refer to these resources when they are developing their project proposals.

My Department also hosted and funded an Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness Workshop in June of last year for local authority and local development company staff which covered disability awareness delivered through the headings of the Cara Sports Inclusion Disability Charter – openness, people, activities, facilities and promotion. The workshop also informed participants of training and education resources that are available through Cara’s training framework and examined a number of workshops that could benefit individuals in this sector.

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