Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
979. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application by an organisation (details supplied) for a post will be successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5141/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe type of posts referred to by the Deputy are linked to the Walks Scheme which is administered by my Department. The scheme currently facilitates the development and maintenance of 39 walking trails through modest payments to almost 2,000 landholders for maintenance works undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
In 2019, my Department invited Expressions of Interest for the inclusion of additional trails in the Walks Scheme. In December 2019, 10 new trails were approved for inclusion in the scheme, as the first phase of an expansion of the scheme which will see up to 80 trails included when all phases of the expansion are completed.
While not amongst the initial phase of trails which met all of the requirements to be added to the scheme, I can confirm that my Department has received an Expression of Interest from the organisation referred to by the Deputy for the inclusion of further trails in the scheme.
An external review of the Walks Scheme, and the role of the posts associated with it, is currently under way and is due to be completed shortly. This review will help to inform decisions in respect of the location of further additional walks to be added to the Walks Scheme. The question of the appointment of additional posts of the nature referred to by the Deputy will also be considered when assessing the findings of this review.
