Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the programme of work laid out by his Department for rural recreation development this year; the new aspects to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20473/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In regard to rural recreation development, my Department continues to engage with 12 Local Development Companies with whom we have Service Level Agreements in place. These agreements relate to appropriate schemes and actions to implement relevant objectives of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and the continued implementation of the Walks Scheme. The Walks Scheme was originally launched in March 2008 , and an additional 4 Local Development Companies are separately contracted to deliver this scheme which is currently operating on 40 trails supported by 1,811 landowners. The initial 5-year contracts are now beginning to expire and work on renewing these contracts has commenced. Renewal of existing contracts over the next two years will constitute a significant body of work, as they must be renegotiated individually with each landowner due to a reduction in the rate of payment.

My Department is continuing negotiations with other State Agencies to agree a National Outdoor Recreation Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland. A successful outcome to these negotiations would provide the basis for coordinated development of state lands for recreation and tourism purposes. It would facilitate the professional development of recreation policy makers and managers and enhance the development of best practice and the use of shared expertise and resources.

A pilot Mountain Access scheme is under development. It is intended to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities. A pilot scheme has been developed at Mount Gable in Connemara and there is general agreement among the relevant stakeholders that the initial proposed Carrantuohill scheme be extended to the entire MacGillicuddy Reeks in Co Kerry. A report is being commissioned to advise on the most appropriate management structure to put in place there , given that the overall area to be encompassed by the extended scheme will exceed 100 sq. kms.

I have provided an additional €755,000 in current funding this year to support the roll out of the MacGillicuddy Reeks Mountain Access Project and to provide for maintenance work on a number of priority walking trails including those not covered by the Walks Scheme. It is hoped, in due course, to agree a financial package to ensure trails and recreational infrastructure are developed and maintained to international standards, thus protecting significant public investment to date, creating and maintaining employment and developing related tourism potential.

My Department continues to be a main funding partner of Leave No Trace Ireland which promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors. It continues to chair regular meetings of Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council). Additional meetings are held with relevant stakeholders on issues such as the development of Greenways, off-road cycling routes and water based activities, among others.

My Department is also working closely with the State Claims Agency following the successful establishment of an Irish arm of the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group (VSCG), which is focussed on how to create safe access to the countryside in ways that do not spoil landscape and heritage, or lessen the visitor’s sense of exploration and adventure. A National Indemnity Scheme , to be managed in conjunction with the State Claims Agency, is currently under negotiation. The proposed scheme would indemnify private landowners nationally against claims from recreational users for injury or damage to property. It has the potential to remove a significant barrier for landowners who wish to facilitate recreational access and to ameliorate concerns of those who might wish to consider future engagement in that regard.