Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1926. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development regarding the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) if she will advise the way the scheme will operate for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2169/23]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years.
ORIS funds new outdoor recreational infrastructure as well as providing for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing facilities in countryside areas across Ireland.
Since the launch of the Scheme, funding in excess of €106 million has been approved, supporting more than 1,500 projects across Ireland. Last year, I approved projects to the value of almost €20 million under the Scheme.
The 2022 measures supported were:
- small scale projects - funding up to €30,000 (measure 1);
- medium scale projects - funding up to €200,000; (measure 2);
- large scale projects - funding up to €500,000; (measure 3); and
- Project Development - funding up to €50,000 (PDM) to meet initial planning/development costs to support a potential pipeline of larger strategic projects of scale.
The Measures to be included in ORIS are reviewed each year and will shortly be reviewed again in advance of the next launch of the programme.
