Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
523. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of meetings held of Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2017 and to date in 2018; the progress made in the development of rural and outdoor recreation in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53937/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on 19th July 2017. Since then, I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February 2018, and Comhairle met on two further occasions, 16th May 2018 and 5th July 2018.
My meeting with Comhairle on 13th February was to hear directly from the members their views on the recommendations of the independent review of Comhairle and the Countryside Recreation Strategy which was finalised in March 2016. I also heard the members' views on the future direction of Comhairle and on the development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland generally. That meeting was very constructive in helping me to formulate proposals for the future development of the sector.
My officials presented initial proposals to the Comhairle members at the meeting of 16th May 2018 and, through my officials, I received detailed feedback from the members on those proposals. I have considered that feedback in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector and I will make a final decision regarding the future mandate of Comhairle na Tuaithe shortly.
Responsibility for the development of rural and outdoor recreation is shared across a number of Government Departments. However, my Department supports rural recreation primarily through the Walks Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreation infrastructure and/or the maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Ireland. Over 500 projects around the country have been approved for funding of over €20 million under this scheme since the end of 2016.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to double the funding available for the Walks Scheme and to increase the number of trails covered. Budget 2019 provided an increase in funding for the Walks Scheme, from €2 million per annum, to €4 million per annum from next year.
I will shortly be initiating a review of the operation of Walks Scheme which will inform decisions regarding the expansion of the scheme. In order to be in a position to bring new trails on to the scheme as soon as possible, I will also be inviting Local Development Companies and Local Authorities to submit expressions of interest in respect of trails that meet specific qualifying criteria, to be considered for inclusion in the scheme.
