Written Answers Nos. 52-69
52. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will consider increasing the funding under the local improvement schemes allocated to County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9041/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.
The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas. During this period a total of €4.9 million was allocated to County Clare which saw improvement works carried out on 127 roads.
I launched the 2023 scheme earlier this month with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated €597,910 to County Clare bringing their total allocation since the scheme was reintroduced to over €5.53 million.
I have increased the funding for the Local Improvement Scheme each year since 2021 and allocated an additional €20.5 million during 2021 and 2022 towards the scheme. I will continue to review expenditure within my own Department and maintain contact with my colleague the Minister for Transport with a view to securing additional funding towards the Local Improvement Scheme.
53. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the interaction her Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) and other stakeholders to consider the role and development of co-operatives in rural communities. [8944/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key part of Our Rural Future - the National Rural Development Policy is supporting the creation of more and better jobs throughout the regions which will allow people to have a choice of employment and improved career prospects. It will enable them to continue to live and work in their local area and encourage more people to relocate to, or return to, rural areas, supporting the regional growth strategy of the National Planning Framework.
While my Department has had no direct interaction with the organisation referenced, I acknowledge the important role they play in communities across the country and my Department is open to engaging with them and other key stakeholders as required.
54. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what a service that was formerly provided by a company (details supplied) will look like under the direction of her Department; and if she will give a commitment that the information available will be easily accessed and not restricted. [9236/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) had provided funding to the company in question, Benefacts. In 2020, in line with best practice, that Department undertook an internal review, which found that the business case for its continued funding of Benefacts was no longer justified.
The decision by DPER to cease funding Benefacts followed discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, of which my Department was one. Following careful consideration of the Benefacts product, including having regard to the risks identified in the internal analysis by DPER, my Department was not in a position to fund Benefacts.
The grant agreement and funding arrangement for services provided by Benefacts did not rest with my Department and no responsibility for Benefacts or its legacy has transferred to my Department. Any considerations in relation to data retention was a matter between Benefacts and DPER, in line with the conditions set out within their grant agreement.
In 2021, under a separate initiative and unrelated to anything previously developed by Benefacts, my Department began exploring options for the establishment of a 'centralised grantee database' for the community and voluntary sector. This work is in line with the Department’s Statement of Strategy and also the Department’s five year Strategy for the C&V sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities.
Streamlining the compliance and reporting burden faced by the community and voluntary sector across many different agents of the State has been identified by the Department, via engagement with the sector, as a key requirement.
My Department subsequently recognized the term 'centralised database' did not adequately capture the intent of the proposal, and has applied the term 'National Funding Platform' as a more accurate descriptor of the proposal.
In May 2021, my Department entered into an agreement with Pobal to conduct a scoping exercise on the potential for a ‘National Funding Platform’ of community and voluntary organisations which have a funding relationship with the State.
The high level purpose of the scoping exercise was to explore options for a funding platform that would reduce the administrative burden on grantees and funders, as well as providing a single source of truth and source of analysis on state funded community and voluntary grantees, and the investment being made into these organisations.
The scoping exercise for the project has been completed and is under consideration by my Department. No decision has been made in respect of this project and the options contained in the scoping paper are still under consideration.
It should be noted that any decision to move forward with what would also be a significant ICT Development project would require a whole of Government approach, as well as being subject to Government approval, and would also be subject to the conditions set out in the public spending code.
55. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support made available by her Department for communities in order to respond to the accommodation of people arriving from Ukraine or for International Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9044/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is assisting with the humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis. My officials regularly meet with key national community and voluntary stakeholders, providing information, assisting the co-ordination of supports through the community sector, receiving feedback and enabling flexibility in programme delivery to focus on the response to new arrivals into communities.
My Department's Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. The 2023 allocation for SICAP is €44.3m.
SICAP has always provided supports for New Communities and has worked with IPAS applicants since the programme began. In addition, I secured funding of €10m for SICAP in 2023 to allow those Local Development Companies delivering SICAP to continue their work to support arrivals from Ukraine. This follows an allocation of €5m in 2022 for that work.
In 2022, my Department provided funding of €0.5 million for volunteer centres to deal with increased activity and demands on those centres and on the volunteers helping to deal with the Ukraine crisis. Additional funding of €1m was secured in 2023 for the volunteering element of the Ukraine response. This funding will be used to continue to support the ongoing efforts of volunteers and Volunteer Centres to respond to the needs of displaced Ukrainians and the ongoing community response to the crisis.
DRCD, along with other Government Departments, will continue to provide a range of supports to people in the International Protection system once they are accommodated in a community.
57. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has assessed the potential of the high-speed broadband network to create potential for rural development and the number of projects emerging for support from her Department’s programmes which utilise its potential. [8132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the key focuses of Our Rural Future:, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025 is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities.
As stated in Our Rural Future, there is an overall ambition for Government to transform digital connectivity for rural communities and enterprises. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities for remote working, online trading and for education as those in larger urban areas. I am working to achieve this ambition by providing significant funding and support through my Department.
My Department runs a number of schemes, projects and funding programmes to support rural digital development. These programmes are designed to impact communities across the country, from the most rural areas and offshore islands, to villages and regional towns.
Over recent years, my department has allocated significant funding to rural communities around the country to support the use of digital connectivity. This funding has been provided through the Connected Hubs Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and, most recently, the Community Centre Investment Fund. These programmes have been designed to ensure that infrastructure and services are made available to meet the changing needs of our rural communities. These schemes also support job creation and enable people to stay in or return to their communities, which may not have been possible previously. I am determined to see these achievements built on.
Through the Broadband Connection Points (BCP) Initiative my department will establish 300 digitally-enabled community hubs. These hubs are based in community centres, GAA clubs and tourist sites across the country and are centres of community life. These BCPs will each have different offerings, some with a focus on remote work while others focused on education programmes and digital skills training. There are currently 290 BCPs live and in use.
Through the National Hub Network initiative, and its online platform connectedhubs.ie, my Department and our partners at the Western Development Commission will establish a nationwide network of 400 remote and co-working hubs. Today there are 310 hubs in the Network (including 54 BCPs). We will grow these numbers and, in doing so, support more people to work remotely and reduce their commuting times.
Between 2018 and 2021, my department provided €2m under the Digital Innovation Program to trial innovative technologies across rural Ireland. These projects established the viability and efficacy of a number of technologies, not least in the areas of rural tourism and public safety.
Under the National Broadband Plan, I note that, as of 10 February 2023, design work is completed in townlands across every county in Ireland. Over 125,870 premises across 26 counties are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland, with over 118,000 premises passed and available for immediate connection. In addition, I understand that Eir are in the process of extending their fibre services to 1.9m premises, that Siro has passed 450,000 premises with fibre services with another 320,000 premises planned, and that Virgin Media plan to bring gigabit broadband to 1m premises.
On December 9th 2022 the government published Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland. Among the targets set out in that Strategy is a commitment to have all Irish households and businesses covered by a Gigabit network by 2028. This represents one of the most ambitious targets in the EU. My Department will continue to work across local and national government, with communities and other stakeholders to ensure rural Ireland is well-placed to take full advantage of this enhanced connectivity.
58. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how her Department is supporting island-specific projects within the development of local development strategies under stage 2 of the LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8975/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process selecting the Local Development Strategies for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is currently under way with Stage 1 of the process having concluded. Groups that were deemed eligible following Expression of Interest Stage 1, have now been invited to develop their strategies to deliver the programme in their sub-regional areas.
The sub regional areas for the new LEADER programme correspond in the main with county boundaries and the offshore islands will continue to be included with their relevant county for the delivery of the LEADER programme.
Any group delivering the new LEADER programme in an area that includes the off-shore islands will be required to include in their strategy, island specific actions with a ring-fenced budget which have been devised in consultation with the island communities. In addition, the Local Action Group selected will also be required to include a dedicated representation from the island community as part of its decision-making body.
I have introduced these requirements in recognition of the particular needs and priorities of island communities, and in light of the important role that LEADER can continue to play in delivering real benefits for island communities.
I am satisfied that these requirements will ensure that island communities will benefit directly from the funding available through the LEADER Programme for projects on the islands.
59. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding that has been provided to County Kerry in recent years under the local improvement scheme; the amount that was requested by Kerry County Council each year versus the amount allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9269/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.
The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. I am committed to improving connectivity for rural residents, whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas. During this period a total of €6.2 million was allocated to County Kerry which saw improvement works carried out on 173 roads.
Local authorities submit their priority lists to my Department based on the allocation indicated so the requests in any given year are in line with the funding allocated.
I launched the 2023 scheme earlier this month with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an addition €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore islands. Within this funding, I allocated €797,367 to County Kerry bringing their total allocation since the scheme was reintroduced to over €7 million.
The annual allocations for Kerry County Council are outlined in the attached table.
LIS Allocations
|
County |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Kerry |
€995,578 |
€1,209,990 |
€669,930 |
€669,930 |
€1,187,099 |
€1,495,490 |
€797,367 |
€7,025,384 |
LIS Roads Completed
|
County |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Carlow |
20 |
28 |
14 |
15 |
25 |
37 |
139 |
|
|
Cavan |
10 |
12 |
4 |
4 |
22 |
25 |
77 |
|
|
Clare |
28 |
30 |
12 |
12 |
20 |
25 |
127 |
|
|
Cork |
34 |
62 |
20 |
19 |
29 |
22 |
186 |
|
|
Donegal |
164 |
107 |
35 |
35 |
67 |
68 |
476 |
|
|
Galway |
57 |
69 |
36 |
30 |
49 |
50 |
291 |
|
|
Kerry |
41 |
61 |
21 |
9 |
18 |
23 |
173 |
|
|
Kildare |
0 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
43 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
16 |
16 |
9 |
7 |
19 |
11 |
78 |
|
|
Laois |
21 |
15 |
7 |
7 |
13 |
23 |
86 |
|
|
Leitrim |
20 |
24 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
31 |
112 |
|
|
Limerick |
18 |
22 |
13 |
8 |
42 |
27 |
130 |
|
|
Longford |
18 |
25 |
15 |
8 |
14 |
18 |
98 |
|
|
Louth |
8 |
6 |
6 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
52 |
|
|
Mayo |
89 |
144 |
74 |
53 |
91 |
31 |
482 |
|
|
Meath |
22 |
21 |
12 |
5 |
17 |
9 |
86 |
|
|
Monaghan |
21 |
28 |
14 |
12 |
26 |
14 |
115 |
|
|
Offaly |
23 |
31 |
16 |
14 |
29 |
32 |
145 |
|
|
Roscommon |
41 |
91 |
21 |
27 |
30 |
24 |
234 |
|
|
Sligo |
16 |
22 |
7 |
6 |
15 |
18 |
84 |
|
|
Tipperary |
10 |
32 |
21 |
20 |
25 |
35 |
143 |
|
|
Waterford |
17 |
20 |
3 |
5 |
14 |
11 |
70 |
|
|
Westmeath |
23 |
22 |
12 |
12 |
24 |
20 |
113 |
|
|
Wexford |
18 |
17 |
11 |
13 |
22 |
23 |
104 |
|
|
Wicklow |
7 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
14 |
8 |
60 |
|
|
Total |
742 |
932 |
412 |
350 |
660 |
608 |
0 |
3704 |
|
Year |
Roads |
Beneficiaries |
|
2017 |
742 |
2895 |
|
2018 |
932 |
3490 |
|
2019 |
412 |
1854 |
|
2020 |
350 |
2033 |
|
2021 |
660 |
3042 |
|
2022 |
608 |
2752 |
|
3704 |
16066 |
60. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the forthcoming Islands strategy; when the strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8973/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future.
I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the text and, more importantly, the actions.
I’ve committed to publishing an action plan along with the policy, as I did with the rural development policy, Our Rural Future. We can see the difference that is making across the country, transforming our rural communities, town and villages, whether it’s in Galway or Monaghan or Cork, and I want to make sure that we do the same thing for our islands.
As Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. Our island communities been waiting a long time for this policy and I’m not going to settle for more of the same from State bodies if that doesn’t deliver anything better for the islands. I want to see them committing to meaningful actions in this plan.
On that basis, I’ve gone back to my officials and asked them to re-engage with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to revisit the document and make sure that this Islands Policy is accompanied by a robust Action Plan.
I’m determined that this policy will be finalised as soon as possible, so that I can bring it to Government for approval and get it published. But I won’t do that until I’m satisfied that it contains credible actions that will make a difference to our island communities.
61. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has had any interaction with a project (details supplied) that provides a blueprint for advanced skills and training in the social economy; and if a commitment will be given to work with the project. [9237/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. A vibrant social economy should be seen as an essential part of developing a sustainable, resource efficient and competitive economy.
I can confirm that I have had no engagement with the project referenced by the Deputy. However, I would note that social enterprises are key players in the social economy and my Department is focussed on the continued implementation of the National Social Enterprise policy, and the development of its successor.
One of the main objectives of the National Social Enterprise policy for Ireland was Growing and strengthening social enterprises. In 2019 my Department provided €800,000 for a Training and Mentoring pilot scheme for social enterprises, which provided support on topics such as business planning, leadership, governance, capacity building, financial planning and digital innovation. This scheme has supported 14 projects and benefited approximately 400 participants.
In 2020 I launched the COVID-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme to help social enterprises to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and re-calibrate their businesses. The €945,000 scheme provided training in areas such as governance and digital skills.
63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in relation to the announced allocation of €12.5 million to the local improvement scheme for 2023, if further funding is being considered for this scheme given the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8974/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland. I am also committed to improving connectivity for rural residents – whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities.
The Local Improvement Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Since 2017, my Department has allocated almost €114 million to the scheme. This has upgraded some 3,700 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 16,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
I launched the 2023 scheme earlier this month with an increase in the base funding to €12 million. I also announced an additional €0.55 million for improvement works on our offshore Islands.
I will continue to closely monitor expenditure patterns this year in my Department and should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme as was seen in 2021 and 2022 where an additional €20.5 million was allocated. I also launched the scheme 7 weeks earlier this year compared to 2022. The early announcement of the 2023 allocations will help local authorities to complete works over the course of the year.
Finally, I am continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport regarding his Department contributing to a jointly funded LIS.
65. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on increasing the annual funding for the CLÁR programme. [8585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The Programme was re-launched in 2016 following a number of years when the scheme was closed to new applications. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its re-launch.
Measures to be included in the CLÁR Programme are reviewed and revised each year, as appropriate. The measures funded under the scheme in 2022 were:
- Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
- Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
- ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
In that funding round, I approved over €12 million supporting almost 300 projects. Details of the successful applications are published on my Department’s website.
Finally, I am happy to confirm that as part of Budget 2023 an additional €0.55m has been allocated to the support the Programme this year.
66. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date in improving the pier facilities in Inis Oírr and at an Caladh Mór, Inis Meáin; the next steps in progressing each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9175/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on the work being undertaken.
With regards to Inis Oírr, Galway County Council published the Compulsory Purchase Order for the land required for construction of the pier in December 2022 and submitted it to An Bord Pleanála. The last date for submissions in relation to this CPO was 13th February 2023.
As the most recent meeting of the steering committee, held earlier this week, Galway County Council advised my Department that it had not received any submissions in the specified time period up to last week.
The decision of An Bord Pleanála in respect of the CPO would be expected by mid-April based on normal processing timelines, but this is subject to extension. In the absence of any objections, it is hoped that approval will be given to the confirmation of the CPO.
In the meantime, Galway County Council is currently finalising the documents for the construction tender with a view to their being ready for publication as soon as possible once the CPO is confirmed.
As for An Caladh Mór, Inis Meáin, Galway County Council is responsible for the development of the next stage. As part of the preparatory works, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) was requested by Galway County Council to develop a model simulation for the harbour. This has been completed, and a full demonstration took place in September 2022, with the skippers of the key relevant vessels in attendance. That data has now been compiled, along with the feedback received from the vessel operators who participated.
It is my understanding that Galway County Council will soon start preparing an updated draft business case and strategic assessment. This will be based on the findings and data from the model simulation, along with consideration of the various options.
Once Galway County Council has completed this phase, the business case will be submitted to my Department for review in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views in relation to expanding the number of community recreation officers within local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8491/23]
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 Walks Scheme is currently operating on 59 trails supported by approximately 2,270 landowners. The scheme is managed by 20 Local Development Companies (LDCs) around the country.
At present, my Department funds 21 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in these LDCs, with a contribution towards costs also being made by Fáilte Ireland. The RROs manage the Walks Scheme at a local level. They work with the 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.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors the recently published National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023- 2027 includes a commitment to increase the number of walks covered by the Scheme to 150. 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.
I hope to open an expression of interest call for new trails under the Scheme later this year. As part of this expansion, my Department will give consideration to increasing the number of RROs, particularly in counties which have trails joining the Scheme but which do not have a RRO.
68. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the National Action Plan on the Development of the Islands; its expected date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9043/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, as per the Programme for Government commitment and the commitments made in Our Rural Future.
I received a draft of the policy before Christmas. While it’s clear that a lot a work has been done in getting the draft policy to this stage, I believe there’s more work needed to firm up the text and, more importantly, the actions.
I’ve committed to publishing an action plan along with the policy, as I did with the rural development policy, Our Rural Future. We can see the difference that is making across the country, transforming our rural communities, town and villages, whether it’s in Galway or Monaghan or Cork, and I want to make sure that we do the same thing for our islands.
As Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. Our island communities been waiting a long time for this policy and I’m not going to settle for more of the same from State bodies if that doesn’t deliver anything better for the islands. I want to see them committing to meaningful actions in this plan.
On that basis, I’ve gone back to my officials and asked them to re-engage with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to revisit the document and make sure that this Islands Policy is accompanied by a robust Action Plan.
I’m determined that this policy will be finalised as soon as possible, so that I can bring it to Government for approval and get it published. But I won’t do that until I’m satisfied that it contains credible actions that will make a difference to our island communities.
69. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps her Department is taking to support the development of walking and cycling trails, greenways and outdoor swimming facilities under her Department's Embracing Ireland's Outdoors Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9227/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmbracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, was launched last November. The Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public, and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
There is an undoubted increase in the appetite for the outdoors and an enhanced awareness of the physical and mental health benefits from participation in outdoor recreation. A growing wealth of trails, cycleways, greenways and outdoor recreation infrastructure has been developed in recent years thanks to significant levels investment across Government.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from the significant investment in the sector and to build on the natural advantages in place. From a strategic perspective, implementation of Embracing Ireland's Outdoors will be led by my Department and Sport Ireland and progress will be overseen by Comhairle na Tuaithe.
At a programme funding level, my Department's Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and Walks Scheme play a key role in the sustainable development of outdoor recreation.
ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland. Since 2016, over €106 million has been awarded to more than 1,500 projects under ORIS. I am pleased to have secured increased funding for ORIS of €16 million in 2023, a €1 million increase on 2022. I hope to open the Scheme later this year.
In addition, under Embracing Ireland's Outdoors it is proposed to expand the Walks Scheme from 80 trails to 150. The 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. I hope to open an expression of interest call for new trails under the Scheme later this year.
