Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
393. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will employ more rural recreational officers and ensure they are allocated according to the work plans being operated by the local development companies. [35194/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
The Programme for Government and Our Rural Future include a commitment to double the number of walks covered by the Scheme. This is in recognition of the value of outdoor recreation amenities, not just for individual and community wellbeing, but also for the tourism impact these trails have on a local economy.
The process of expansion has commenced and the Scheme is currently operating on 45 trails, supported by approximately 2,040 landholders, and is being managed by 16 Local Development Companies around the country. Total costs in respect of the Scheme in 2020 were in the region of €2.8m.
At present, the Department funds Rural Recreation Officers, or RROs, in 13 of these 16 Local Development Companies. The RROs manage the Scheme at a local level. They work with landholders to ensure that the designated walks are maintained at an approved standard, with repairs and improvements made as appropriate. They also make a significant contribution to the development of the outdoor recreation sector locally.
My Department commissioned an external review of the Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and to assess the role and resourcing of the RRO posts throughout the country. It has also considered the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme. I hope to be in a position to publish the review once it has been fully considered by my Department. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the further strategic expansion of the scheme.
