Written answers

Thursday, 3 April 2008

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Departmental Schemes

5:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date with regard to implementation of the national walks scheme announced on 4 March 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/08]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Walks Scheme which I launched in early March will initially be piloted in the following four areas:

Sheep's Head Way in West Cork

Bluestack Way in Donegal

Suck Valley Way in Roscommon and

Éamonn a' Chnoic Loop Walk in Tipperary

It is anticipated that when the Scheme is bedded down in these 4 areas it will be rolled out to a further 8 routes this year.

The National Trails Office is in the process of completing workplans for the maintenance of the initial four trails. Once these have been agreed with landholders, the scheme will be implemented. It is expected that the first scheme payments to landowners on the 4 pilot areas will be made in early summer.

In tandem with the development of the Walks Scheme, my Department has also reached agreement with Fáilte Ireland regarding the employment of 11 Rural Recreation Officers (RRO). Their role will be to promote walking tourism in areas where there are clusters of suitable, accessible walks. The RRO will act as a contact person for walking tourists and will provide a wide range of support and advice. Recruitment of these RROs is well underway, including those in the Walks Scheme pilot areas, and they should be appointed in the coming weeks. The Rural Recreation Officer will provide vital support in rolling out the Walks Scheme.

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