Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2009
303 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department is taking part in the cycle-to-work scheme or plans to do so in the near future; the agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department taking part in the cycle-to-work scheme and those which are not; and the impact the implementation of decentralisation will have on participation in the scheme. [34610/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is taking part in the cycle to work scheme and a total of 7 staff have availed of the scheme to date. The evidence shows that the implementation of decentralisation in my Department has had no impact on participation in the scheme, with participation in the scheme arising in each of my Department's offices in Tubbercurry, Na Forbacha and Dublin.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the operation of the cycle to work scheme in the bodies and agencies that are funded from within my Department's Vote Group is reflected in the following table.
|
Agencies and bodies taking part in the cycle to work scheme |
Agencies and bodies planning to take part in the cycle to work scheme |
Agencies and bodies not taking part in the cycle to work scheme at present |
|
Western Development Commission |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Waterways Ireland |
|
Oifig an Choimisinéir Teanga |
Foras na Gaeilge |
Ulster-Scots Agency |
|
Office of the Commission of Charitable Donations and Bequests |
304 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of a scheme which compensates farmers for allowing walkers access their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34648/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a Walks Scheme for the development, enhancement and maintenance of waymarked ways and priority walks. It does not operate, as the Deputy suggests, on the basis of compensating farmers for allowing access to walkers — rather, it provides for limited payments to landowners for carrying out essential maintenance works on trails crossing their properties.
This Scheme has been developed within my Department in consultation with Comhairle na Tuaithe. It was introduced in 2008, and currently operates on 18 trails.
This is the first managed maintenance programme for walks and trails and the evidence is that the Scheme is working very well. In this context, the Deputy should note that there is a significantly higher standard of maintenance on trails where the Scheme is in operation.
Figures provided by Fáilte Ireland are very encouraging with over 500,000 walkers visiting Ireland in 2008. These figures also indicate that the numbers of walkers visiting the country are increasing year-on-year, despite the difficulties in some areas of tourism. This is particularly welcome news as it justifies the efforts to date in developing this natural resource and demonstrates conclusively the economic arguments in favour of encouraging walkers to visit Ireland.
