Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7497/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In July 2012, a Steering Group involving representatives of the key stakeholders in the project referred to by the Deputy was convened and charged with the planning and development of the project. The Steering Group meets regularly and good progress is being made on bringing this complex multifaceted project to fruition.

Because of the associated ecological issues, the task of delivering the project will require careful consideration and planning. To ensure that the project is delivered as efficiently and quickly as possible, it has been broken down into various modules, which will allow the advancement of some sections, while the necessary consultations, assessments and planning and any land acquisitions as may be required for the more complicated aspects of the plan are moved along in parallel.

On 29 January 2015, the local authority granted permission, with some conditions, to my Department for the provision of an access route and car park in connection with the development of the project.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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228. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7514/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy commenced in July 2014. The European Union has agreed to provide almost 50% co-funding for this €5 million project, which is being led by my Department in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

The project team was appointed late last year and is now established in offices at the location referred to in the Deputy's Question. The team will work in collaboration with members of the farming and forest-owning communities in the relevant catchments on a wide range of conservation actions over the remaining 5 years of the project. Participation by local farm and forest owners in the project will be entirely voluntary.

Important outreach initiatives will also be undertaken to add value to local enterprises and raise awareness amongst the local communities. To that end, a project website will be established in the coming weeks and more detailed information will be available there in due course.