Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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22. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he expects to open the 2018 outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; the amount of funding he plans to allocate towards this funding stream in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25292/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I launched the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on the 1st of June. The scheme provides 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 last two years, the scheme has funded trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways, and projects that improve access to recreational amenities across the country.

Under the 2018 scheme, applications will be 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 large projects ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.

I have made an indicative allocation of €12 million to the Scheme for 2018, across the three measures.

Local Development Companies, Local Authorities and State Agencies are all eligible applicants under the scheme. For the most part, I expect that projects under Measure 1 will be completed by the end of this year. Larger scale projects under Measures 2 and 3 are expected to be completed before the end of October 2019.  

Further details of the scheme are available on my Department's website.