Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of funding awarded and applications under consideration in counties Louth and Meath in respect of support for walking infrastructure such as trails given the importance of such local amenities particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50156/21]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister the status of funding awarded and applications under consideration in counties Louth and Meath in respect of support for walking infrastructure such as greenways and trails. Many in County Louth have been successful.. I thank the Minister and we have to make sure the funding is spent. I will wait for her reply and debate further with her, especially about the Mell Greenway.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme, ORIS, provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, cycleways and blueways in rural areas. Since 2016, ORIS funding has been awarded for 17 projects in County Louth to the value of almost €900,000 and 30 projects in County Meath to the value of more than €2.6 million. To date, 31 of these projects have been completed and it is expected the remaining projects will be completed over the coming 12 to 18 months. The 2021 ORIS scheme was launched in April and more than 300 applications were received seeking funding of almost €25 million. Four applications were received for projects in County Louth and 11 for projects in County Meath. I expect to make an announcement about the successful projects under the scheme before the end of the year.

In addition, to ORIS by Department also delivers the walks scheme. The scheme contracts landowners to undertake maintenance work on the trails that traverse their land. In turn, they receive modest payments in line with agreed work plans. I recently announced approval in principle for the Slieve Foye loop in County Louth to join this walks scheme. I also announced, subject to the development of an acceptable business case, to fund a new rural recreation officer post in Louth to help supply the delivery of the walks scheme there and to contribute to the development of the outdoor recreation sector in Louth generally. I am committed to building on the potential of the outdoor recreation sector for rural communities. The Deputy knows first-hand the value of these outdoor recreation facilities and the rural walks.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. She has a grasp of all the issues in her brief. I congratulate her on that. She put her finger on it when she referred to the actions of local authorities in making applications that her Department funds them, which I welcome, but it is not always the case that funding that is granted to local authorities is spent. Indeed, there was a case in Louth County Council last year with the Mell Greenway where the funding for it was not spent. I know the Minister is working with the council to make sure the funding is spent on the greenway or walking trail.

It is an issue generally that county councils, notwithstanding the funding they have been given nationally, particularly in relation to empty homes officers, have been reluctant to do the work. The vast majority of councils took the €50,000 and did not do the work. The Minister needs to hold their feet to the fire if they are not doing the work. I welcome her commitment and that she is providing the funding, but local authorities must do the work. If they put in requests for funding, they are obliged to follow it up. I am talking especially about the Mell Greenway. The Minister might not have the brief on it but perhaps she could respond later.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will give the Deputy a short brief on the Mell Greenway. Louth County Council was approved for funding of €200,000 under the 2019 outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme for the development and the enhancement of the Boyne Greenway. This year, it requested permission to revise the scope of the reproved works. This amendment has been approved by my Department, subject to the submission of a project implementation plan. The Deputy knows how important that project is. We will certainly work with the local authority to do everything we can to help it progress the plan. We want to see it. We want to see boots on that greenway. That is what I want to see. I was down in Waterford, where I opened the St. Declan’s walkway. It is a fine place.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her time and for being on top of all the issues. I welcome her working with Louth County Council to ensure the funding that was allocated two years ago is now actually going to be spent. Substantial progress has been made in County Louth. If you go north, the Cooley walk in Omeath is fantastic, as is the greenway to Carlingford. We have a proposal of a greenway from Oldbridge to Navan. We also have the Mell Greenway, which are talking about. At the moment, there is a plan with An Bord Pleanála, which will bring walkers and cyclists right out along the coast out to Mornington and up to places further afield like Skerries. The Minister is transforming our rural landscape and she is meeting the requirements of the communities for greenways, trails, walkways and cycleways. We are transforming our recreational amenities. To the Minister I say "Well done", but I will keep pressing on the Mell Greenway. I thank her for all her help on that.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Maybe I am biased because I am from Monaghan, but there is nothing more beautiful than the Cooley Peninsula. Carlingford is an amazing part of the country. You can go on then through south Armagh and back, of course, to beautiful Monaghan.

We want to use those wonderful natural facilities we have and I want to see us investing in them. That is why it will be particularly important to have the rural recreation officers. They will be able to liaise with the landowners. We cannot do any of these walks without the agreement and support of the landowners. We want to make sure we can work with them. The rural recreation officers will be able to do that. They will be able to be the bridge and to iron out any problems when they arise. That is the most important thing. If there are issues, they should be dealt with quickly so they do not become big problems. The rural recreation officers we will be vital in that.

I also want to say that Comhairle na Tuaithe is doing great work. It is developing an outdoor strategy, and I thank it for the work it is doing.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are running out of time. There is time for just one more question. I call Deputy Sherlock, although he will not get the full time.