Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
81. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce successful projects under the outdoor recreation infrastructure fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2749/24]
View answerThis question relates to the successful projects under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. We know how important these projects are to local communities. When does the Minister expect to make an announcement on these?
The outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS, is funded by my Department under the document, Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and other amenities at our rivers, beaches, lakes and forests.
Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of almost €109 million has supported more than 1,550 projects across the country. County Mayo has been allocated funding in excess of €6.3 million since 2016, which is supporting more than 75 projects.
Last year, I launched the 2023 ORIS with an allocation of €16 million, a €1 million increase on 2022. Applications were invited under four measures. The first three measures provide funding for the delivery of projects of varying scale from €30,000 up to €0.5 million. A total of 277 project applications were submitted by local development companies, local authorities and State bodies under the first three measures. These applications are currently being assessed and I hope to announce the successful projects in the first quarter of this year.
In addition, the 2023 scheme also includes a project development measure that provides funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large-scale projects. Last November I approved funding of almost €2.3 million for 50 projects. This funding will support preparatory work required to bring these large-scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage and ensure a strong pipeline of outdoor amenity projects right across the country in the coming years. Details of successful projects announced to date under ORIS can be viewed on my Department's website. Deputy Dillon was in touch with me about a number of them. I was delighted to be able to announce the funding, because I know the difference this type of support makes to local communities.
I thank the Minister for her response. Many Deputies will agree that outdoor recreation facilities and infrastructure are vital to the future-proofing of local communities. Certainly the value placed on outdoor amenities and the contribution they make to both physical and mental well-being has never been more apparent, especially in post-pandemic times. We can see how it enhances the quality of life, promotes health and fosters community spirit. I know how effectively the Minister has worked in relation to this in publishing the first ever national outdoor recreation strategy. That was really important and it also delivers major economic and health benefits. It is good to hear that Mayo has featured heavily in the last number of years, with more than €6 million being allocated to the county, supporting 75 projects. I look forward to further announcements under the future measures. Perhaps the Minister can provide some additional detail on the large-scale projects, on what they are specifically targeting and on when she expects to make an announcement on these.
I thank the Deputy. As I said, this fund was announced last November. There was a number of successful projects I know the Deputy was very interested in, such as the Killala Bay ships reef project, which received €50,000 and is ongoing. The Cong to Lisloughrey pier recreational trail got another €50,000. These are small schemes by any measure. There is one particularly good one in Deputy Dillon's constituency. In 2020, the Department approved funding of €480,000 to Mayo County Council to deliver the sustainable access and habitat restoration project on Croagh Patrick. This was delivered in collaboration with Croagh Patrick stakeholders. The aim of the project is to provide sustainable access to Croagh Patrick by addressing the substantial erosion and scarring of the mountain and the significant damage to the path. It is going very well and I believe it is expected to be finished in March 2024. I look forward to going down to open that.
I thank the Minister. She should bring her hiking boots whenever she visits because it has made a substantial difference. There are multisport events and adventure races up and down the reek. It has made an enormous difference to the ecosystem around Westport and west Mayo. I appreciate the Minister's input in relation to securing that funding and also the funding for around Cong and Lisloughrey. Thankfully, Cong is now back in the Mayo constituency. In one sense, they were a bit excluded. I am not saying the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Connolly, did not do her part, but they are happy to be back in Mayo. I think this project is really important, with Cong being a really important tourism hub in south Mayo. I thank the Minister for all she does in the Department. I look forward to future announcements in relation to the ORIS.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me the time. I welcome and commend the ORIS fund. Since its commencement in 2016 it has been really brilliant all over the country. In my home county of Kerry, it has been really transformative for many areas. I commend the Minister on the work she does and the increase in the budget.
I ask that as much funding as possible would come to Kerry under the next rounds. In particular, there are a number of strand 1 and strand 2 applications in there. There is one in strand 3, that is, the Kilderry to Milltown amenity walk in County Kerry. I can literally look out my kitchen window across the main valley at that every day of the week. It would be a fantastic addition to what is a growing town in the mid-Kerry area. The population of Milltown has grown enormously in recent years. It is one that would be a fantastic investment for local people and for visitors to the area.
On the negative side of things, in November 2021, €50,000 was announced for the Inch beach masterplan. We still have seen the masterplan. It is not the Minister's fault; she did her part and provided the funding. However, the local authorities need to speed up the implementation and the spending of the money.
I thank the Deputy. I was down at Inch beach and I announced that project. I do not know what is keeping them. They need to move on with it because if they do not spend, the money goes somewhere else. It is an absolutely amazing beach. I heard what was said about Kilderry to Milltown amenity walk.
To go back to Deputy Dillon's question, I have secured an allocation of €16 million for this ORIS as part of budget 2024. This will be a welcome investment across the country. I look forward to reviewing the scheme in anticipation of the launch of another iteration of the scheme later this year. To date, funding in excess of €6.3 million has been approved for 77 projects in Mayo. The point is that we provide some small money for small repairs. Measure 2 is up to €200,000 and measure 3 provides funding up to a maximum of €0.5 million. These are not huge projects in the overall scheme of things.
The Department of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, funds the very big greenways and such. We look at the smaller aspects and what helps communities. An upgraded pathway around the lake can make a huge difference. It is great to see the people out using and enjoying it. It is a good scheme.
