Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to offer incentives and compensation to farmers for any loss or inconvenience caused by allowing greenways or walkways through their lands, in view of the huge societal and economic potential that such infrastructure may bring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45868/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The economic and social benefits derived from landowners allowing greenways or walkways through their lands is fully recognised by my Department, as is the possibility of inconvenience or loss caused to these landowners by allowing such projects to proceed. Permissive access, which does not attract any incentive or compensation, will continue to be a key tool in the delivery of these types of recreational infrastructure going forward. My Department has responsibility for the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy (NCRS).

The Strategic Objectivesset out in the Strategy are:

1. To achieve sustainable and responsible recreation in the countryside.

2. To promote caring recreational use of the countryside.

3. To develop a national framework that promotes the rights and responsibilities of both owners and users.

4. To develop a suitable structure to deliver a national countryside recreation service in a strategic and co-ordinated way.

5. To secure a package of funding mechanisms to deliver on the objectives of the strategy.

The on-going development of the activity tourism sector is of strategic importance for Ireland given the potential to leverage job creation and improve exchequer revenue from both foreign and domestic tourism.

The Walks Scheme which was introduced in 2008 is currently in place on 39 trails nationally, with 1,895 landholder participants. These participants receive modest payments for the development, enhancement and maintenance of those sections of trail that traverse their lands. In 2014 payments to landowners amounted to €1.8m. Due to budgetary constraints this scheme is currently closed to new participants; however, in some cases, a number of new participants have been brought on to the scheme following the renewal of contracts. In 2014, over 90 new participants joined the scheme.

The permissive access model currently used as part of the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategyfor the development of greenways and walkways in Ireland has led to the successful delivery of close on 800 walking, cycling, and equestrian trails which are all listed on the Irish Trails Register.

My Department continues to be a main funder of the Leave No Trace initiative which, through partnerships and education, promotes responsible recreational use in the outdoors, thus minimising the inconvenience caused to landholders and farm animals alike.