Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in regard to the walks scheme introduced on a pilot basis in four areas of the country; if agreement has been reached with landowners in the areas; if there are plans to extend it to other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24972/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Walks Scheme, which I launched in early March, is being 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

The National Trails Office and the relevant Leader Companies are in the process of completing work plans for the maintenance of these trails. Indications are that at least 85% of the landholders on the trails will take part and that all landholders on the trails are willing to allow access to their land. It is expected that the first scheme payments to landowners in the four areas will issue in the coming weeks.

In tandem with the development of the Walks Scheme, my Department has reached agreement with Fáilte Ireland regarding the employment of 12 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. The RRO will provide vital support in rolling out the Walks Scheme. All 12 of the RROs have recently been recruited. The four pilot areas have been assigned RROs and it is anticipated that, when the scheme is bedded down in these areas, it will be rolled out to routes in the other eight areas where RRO's have been appointed. It is expected that over time the scheme will be open to all existing National Waymarked Ways and Looped Walking Routes. In the future, new Waymarked Ways, Looped Walks and Heritage Routes may also be included along with other possible trails.