Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is very fortunate to come from Waterford because it is a beautiful county. The Deputy was there when I visited St. Declan's Way and I was also at the fabulous Mount Congreve Gardens, which is such a wonderful amenity. There are 115 km of beautiful walks and scenery and I am delighted my Department has been able to support the projects. Of course, there is also the Waterford greenway, which is a big tourism draw for the county. Since the pandemic, as we all know, there is a newfound appreciation for the outdoors.

These projects are identified at local level by the local authorities, which could engage with local stakeholders and make them aware of what is coming. That would mean there are opportunities because when we develop these walkways or some of the outdoor recreation spaces, the coffee shop, or even the mobile coffee shop, springs up, and that all brings extra income to an area.

The infrastructure fund is in my Department. It is a great scheme that is supporting the development of walking trails, blueways, forest parks, mountain bike trails and so on. There are many very good projects in Waterford, as the Deputy will know. The Cappoquin railway bridge loop walk got €500,000; the Anne Valley walk got €142,000; the Crough Wood trailhead got €365,000; the Mahon Falls project in the Comeragh mountains got €200,000; and the Copper Coast walking trail has been given €50,000 for a feasibility study. If the Deputy encourages people to come forward with the ideas, we are happy to support them.

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