Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of new walks developed under the walkways scheme of the rural recreation section of his Department since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37869/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Due to budgetary constraints it has not been possible to develop new walks under the existing Walks Scheme since December 2010. However there are now 40 trails covered by the Scheme, with annual payments of €1,910,000 to 1,805 landholders who maintain them. It is intended that any additional efficiencies and savings that can be generated in the scheme will be put towards priority walks and improvements in the existing trails comprehended by the scheme.

Despite current financial constraints there are now 871 trails listed on the irishtrails.ie website, which are fully open to the public and being maintained to the appropriate national standards. Consideration is now being given to the assessment of the optimum number of trails required to provide an appropriate level of choice, quality and grade of trail for recreational users and tourists alike. This will ensure trails are developed on the basis of identified need and that the costs associated with the development and ongoing maintenance of trails will be minimised.