Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in regard to recreational walkers in each county; if they have been appointed; if so, the counties in which they have been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23870/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I take it the Deputy is referring to the appointment of rural recreation officers, RROs, who have been appointed to promote walking tourism and to assist in the implementation of the walks scheme. Twelve RROs were appointed in 2008 to act as contact persons for walking tourists and to provide a broad range of support and advice in this area.

The officers are employed by the following local development companies: County Kilkenny Leader Partnership; Donegal Local Development Company Limited; Laois Community and Enterprise Development Company Limited; County Sligo Leader Partnership Company Limited; Roscommon Integrated Development Company; South Kerry Development Partnership Limited; South Tipperary Local Development Company Limited; West Cork Development Partnership; Wicklow Rural Partnership; Meitheal Forbartha Na Gaeltachta Teoranta; South West Mayo Development Company Limited; and Clare Local Development Company Limited.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the appointment of 12 rural recreation officers, which is good news for those seeking to promote walking holidays in Ireland. Tourism is of great importance for rural areas and one of the largest sources of employment. What is the position in regard to the 200 looped walks that were promised by 2009? We are fortunate in Ireland to have wonderful countryside. The Minister has dealt with the issue relating to farmers, which was a significant issue for many years. Is it time now to get local authorities, Bord Fáilte, the Leader companies or some other agency to take responsibility for developing the proposed looped walkways, ensuring they are properly maintained and seeking out new routes? Walking tourism is a growing industry which attracts thousands of people every year.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will get the detailed information the Deputy has requested and pass it on to him. There has been significant progress in this area. One of the most gratifying aspects of recent developments in rural tourism is the substantial increase in the number of tourists who include walking as a particular objective of their holidays. In 2003, this number was 168,000, increasing to 511,000 in 2007. I understand the figure increased again in 2008, even though the number of tourists did not increase.

The work we are doing in this area is having a significant effect in two ways. First, walking tourism has become a good news items as we move away from the confrontation and negative newspaper headlines which were destroying the industry. The second aspect is the physical development to which the Deputy referred. One of the conditions of the walkway scheme, whereby farmers are paid to maintain specific walkways, is that the National Trails Office inspects the walks and lays out the work the farmer has to do every year. He or she will not get paid unless the walk is maintained to the required standard. This is where the rural social scheme and so on are so important. In the past, we built car parks and other facilities but there was no maintenance of walkways and they went to rack and ruin. The whole thrust of what we are doing is to maintain facilities to a high standard. We must keep repairing and maintaining; that is a fundamental part of the scheme.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What is the situation in regard to the use of canal banks as designated walkways? In my area, significant progress has taken place in developing walks alongside the canal. However, there is no linkage with other areas throughout the State, with only certain sections of the canal being developed in this way. Such development is of major benefit to local communities, providing an important amenity. The continuation of such development on a nationwide scale is an important aspect of the development of designated walkways.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's query is well beyond the scope of the question, but the Minister may respond if he wishes.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As one of the sponsoring Ministers, I have encouraged Waterways Ireland to look at waterways in an holistic fashion, including their development for the purposes of walking and recreation. A plan is currently in place in Dublin in which many of the statutory agencies, including Dublin City Council, are involved to develop the amenity value of the canals as far as the city boundary. Much of the usage of the canals is not for boats but for ancillary, and equally valid, activities.

I cannot provide an answer as to why certain sections may have been developed further than others. The general encouragement from me as Minister is that they should be utilised as far as possible. In addition, Waterways Ireland is in possession of dry canals. One way of maintaining the rights of way attaching to them is to use them for rural recreation, including walking. I am interested in any specific proposals the Minister may have in this area. I would also like to see partnerships between communities so that a linkage can be developed between different walkways.