Niamh Smyth
Question:82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan will benefit from the recently announced outdoor recreation and infrastructure scheme. [28325/23]
View answerTuesday, 13 June 2023
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland.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. The Strategy will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from the significant investment in the sector and to build on the natural advantages in place.
Since the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2016, funding of in excess of €106 million has supported more than 1,500 projects across the country. Indeed, over €8.7 million of this has been allocated to 115 projects in the constituency of Cavan – Monaghan.
I recently launched the 2023 Scheme with an allocation of €16 million, an increase of €1 million on last year's Scheme.
The 2023 Scheme will provide funding of up to €30,000 for small scale development as well as promotion and marketing; up to €200,000 for medium scale upgrades and new amenity development; and up to €500,000 for large scale upgrades and the development of new outdoor recreation amenities. In addition funding of up to €50,000 is available for project development costs.
I have no doubt that projects on a par with the previously funded Lough Major Lido - which I visited last week, Whitewood Lake Regeneration, Rossmore Park, Dartery Forest and Lough Muckno will emerge from the process.