Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2411. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding for works to be carried out on the Cavan and Leitrim greenway will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35119/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for national and regional Greenways and has recently published a new strategy for the development of Greenways of this scale. The development of national and regional Greenways will be supported by a fund of €53 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2021.
My Department will continue to support the development of smaller, local Greenways (typically under 20 Km in length) under schemes such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Under the 2016 Outdoor Recreation Scheme, my Department provided funding of €190,000 through Leitrim County Council for the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Greenway Pilot Project to construct approximately 1.17km of Greenway from Ballinamore to Cleenaghoo.
I also understand that an application for funding under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme has been made in respect of a further stretch of the Leitrim Railway Greenway Pilot Project.
Funding is also currently available under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which I launched on 1st June, with an indicative allocation of €12 million. The scheme will provide funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. In the past two years, the scheme has funded trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, and projects that improve access to recreational amenities across the country.
Under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme scheme, Local Authorities and relevant Local Development Companies, in collaboration with each other and other Agencies and community groups, have been invited to submit applications to my Department for consideration.
Applications are being accepted under three measures:
Measure 1 will cater for small projects with a value of up to €20,000.
Measure 2 will support medium sized projects, ranging in value from €20,000 to €200,000.
Measure 3 is aimed at larger projects, ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.
The closing date for Measure 1 applications was 6th July, while the closing date for Measure 2 and Measure 3 applications is 27th July. My officials will assess all applications received in the coming weeks and I hope to announce successful projects during September.
