Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 874: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to pursue the possibility of using former railway infrastructure as recreational trails for cycling and so on in partnership with Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47849/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is actively pursuing with CIÉ the possibility of using former railway infrastructure as recreational trails for activities such as walking and cycling. However, while CIÉ holds a number of unused railway lines, only a few have been abandoned and have become free therefore for other development.

One such line is the Tralee-Limerick line. A portion of this line — the Great Southern Trail (GST) — continues to be developed as a recreational amenity. My Department has provided funding of €62,500 to date in progressing the GST project. This includes €20,000 towards the inspection and repair of an important viaduct on the trail. In addition, I organised a meeting in September 2008 of interested parties in the GST project, which included CIÉ, Limerick County Council, Shannon Development, Fáilte Ireland and members of the local GST Committee. Limerick County Council subsequently announced in November 2008 that they were proceeding with a project costing €552,638 on upgrading the trail, which will mean a significant tourism boost for the region. More information on the GST can be found on:

www.southerntrail.net

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 875: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made regarding the programme for Government proposal to introduce an all-Ireland walkways development plan, mapping out infrastructural needs and routes and maximising their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47851/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 877: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made regarding the programme for Government proposal to implement a major programme to promote rural countryside recreation to be implemented by a dedicated unit or division of staff in consultation with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47853/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 875 and 877 together.

Progress in this area includes:

Identification and review of a set of access parameters in the countryside and agreement on the key features necessary for countryside code development by Comhairle na Tuaithe, which I established in 2004 and is supported by my Department.

Publication of a National Countryside Recreation Strategy in September 2006 by Comhairle na Tuaithe and the subsequent review of this Strategy in 2008.

The development and launch of a Walks Scheme by my Department, which was successfully rolled out on 13 routes in 2008, with others due to come on stream in 2009.

The appointment of 12 Rural Recreation Officers (RRO) 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.

I made over €0.5m in capital funding available to Fáilte Ireland in 2008 to assist in the development of the national network of looped walks to a total of 79 trailheads and 119 Loops to date. Provision of €0.63m capital funding for Fáilte Ireland is planned for 2009, which will see at least one looped walk in each of the 26 counties.

I have allocated €90,000 (€30,000 per annum from 2006-2008) to Wicklow Uplands Council and Wicklow Rural Partnership to provide a network of access routes over private lands in areas of high scenic and amenity value in County Wicklow.

I have also allocated €60,000 to the Irish Uplands Forum, over the period of their Statement of Strategy 2008-2012, towards the development of a positive network in pursuit of a partnership approach to sustainable uplands management.

In addition, my Department is actively pursuing with CIÉ the possibility of using former railway infrastructure as recreational trails for activities such as walking and cycling.

Separately, discussions are continuing with Coillte to discuss the possibility of expanding the use of their land for recreational purposes. I will continue to progress this matter, as I believe that it has considerable potential to make a significant contribution to rural recreation. A service level agreement was put in place in 2008 to provide for:

Maintenance of trails, forest parks, picnic areas and other recreation infrastructure;

Maintenance of a national team function;

Signage and infrastructure improvement;

Improving recreation information and website; and

Developing new recreation initiatives.