Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
137. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement that she has had with the stakeholders of the Gearagh, County Cork in relation to suitable outdoor tourism development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45072/22]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation 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.
Since the formation of my Department in 2017, funding of over €4.6 million has been approved under the Scheme for Cork.
Earlier this year, I launched the 2022 Scheme with a budget of €15 million to support outdoor recreation projects nationwide. The Measures being funded under this year’s Scheme are:
- Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing (up to €30,000)
- Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development (up to €200,000)
- Measure 3: Strategic Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development (up to €500,000)
- Project Development Measure: Development costs for Strategic large Scale Projects (up to €500,000)
The 2022 Scheme is now closed for applications. In August I announced the successful projects under Measure 1 and the Project Development Measure. I expect to announce the successful projects under the remaining Measures in the coming months.
I am not aware of any recent direct engagement between local stakeholders and my Department in relation to the Gearagh, County Cork. However, it should be noted that applications under ORIS are developed and submitted to my Department by local authorities and local development companies, and all applications are required to demonstrate a collaborative approach, working with the local community and stakeholders.
