Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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517. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the walks scheme in County Donegal; his future plans to further develop same; the level of funding allocated for the walks scheme in County Donegal in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1400/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Walks Scheme was introduced in 2008 and is being administered in County Donegal by Donegal Local Development Company Ltd. The Bluestack Way in Donegal was one of the first walks to be brought onto the Scheme. In 2010 the Pilgrims Path at Sliabh Liag and Mc Swynes Gun Loop at Horn Head were added bringing the total number of walks in Donegal on the scheme to three, with 86 participating landowners.

The following table outlines the level of funding made available under the Walks Scheme in County Donegal for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Projected expenditure is included for 2014.

Following the withdrawal of access by a landowner on Mc Swynes Gun Loop at Horn Head in May 2013, every effort was made to resolve the situation, but, unfortunately, a resolution could not be found and the route closed in November 2013. Due to public funding constraints, it has not been possible to add any significant number of participants to the Scheme since 2010. It is my intention to renew the initial 5 year contracts as they expire. There are currently 1,809 participants on the Walk Scheme, 70 of which are in County Donegal.