Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The rural walks scheme gives rural communities a great opportunity to develop tourism in their own areas. We have seen walks such as the Ó Súileabháin Bhéara way coming through Cork and on up through the country. Other communities want to develop walks on old railway lines, such as those in Muskerry. People in Muskerry have developed the walk but are locked out of the rural walks scheme and cannot get paid for maintaining their walks. Similarly, others in Coachford and Crossbarry want to develop walks along the old railways.

When we raised this matter with the Minister last year, he said a review of the scheme was being conducted. It has not started, however. To get the scheme up and running, the review needs to be completed. Has it got under way? When will people be able to make applications for the rural walking scheme again?

See this speech in context