Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2398. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the progress of Comhairle na Tuaithe's mountain access project; the key indicators used to measure implementation; the status of these indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34382/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2399. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a report on the two mountain access pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2398 and 2399 together.
Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body with a primary focus on the priority areas of:
- access to the countryside,
- developing a countryside code, and
- developing a countryside recreation strategy.
I understand that under a Comhairle na Tuaithe initiative, in 2011, a Mountain Access Scheme to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities was developed in two pilot areas; one at Mount Gable in Connemara and the other in the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co. Kerry.
In order to help progress the Mountain Access Scheme, SLR Consultants with the support of the former Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, South Kerry Development Partnership and Fáilte Ireland, were tasked with assessing the potential for structured permissive access to the MacGillycuddy Reeks uplands and to identify the most appropriate management structure to ensure the sustainable management of the integral environmental and cultural heritage of the Reeks, while providing long term clarity on permissive recreational access to the mountains. I understand that the SLR report also suggested a set of Key Performance Indicators covering issues such as management, revenue, training & education, enterprise and communication.
On foot of the recommendations in the SLR report, a Management Forum, whose job it was to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the report, was established in the Kerry pilot area in 2014.
I understand that SLR Consultants are currently in the process of finalising a review with regard to the progress of the Forum and I understand that the results of that review will be available in the coming weeks.
Comhairle na Tuaithe also established a Mountain Access Project Steering Group in 2014, which was tasked with reviewing progress in respect of the Mountain Access Pilots, developing signage for Mountain Access Pilot areas, and issues around a National Indemnity Scheme. During this time, tendering took place for the design of a mountain access logo, and mountain access signage and information panels for the two pilot areas, which are now in place.
