Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to develop rural recreation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46179/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department oversees the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. The primary outcome from its implementation is the provision of a comprehensive, integrated and adequately resourced, world class outdoor recreation product. This will significantly enhance job creation and retention in the sector, support economic and community development in rural areas and boost GDP which benefits directly from expenditure by international tourists. It will also generate significant Exchequer savings through the improved health and well being of the population.

My Department continues to implement the Walks Scheme which was launched in March 2008 on the recommendation of Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council). It represented an innovative response to facilitating the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s key walking trails . The key point of the Scheme is that it brings in the landholders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on the trails in line with agreed work plans. The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 40 trails supported by 1,804 landowners, and is being managed by 16 Local Development Companies around the country. In addition, my Department is considering the development of a National Outdoor Recreation Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland with the relevant State Agencies.

My Department continues to be a main funding partner of Leave No Trace Ireland which promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors. It encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to act responsibly in the outdoors and to do their part to protect those lands used by the public for the benefit of the environment and for future generations.

My Department chairs regular meetings of Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) where matters are discussed relating to rural recreation/activity tourism and furthering the implementation of the priorities of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy (NCRS). Comhairle Na Tuaithe was established in February 2004 with a primary focus on the following priority areas; access to the countryside, developing a countryside code and developing a countryside recreation strategy. It comprises representatives of the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with an interest in the countryside.

A Pilot Mountain Access scheme is under development. It is intended to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities. A pi lot scheme has being developed at Mount Gable in Connemara and discussions are continuing regarding the expansion of the initial proposed Carrantuohill scheme to the entire MacGillicuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.