Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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977. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding funding for an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25644/16]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department has provided financial support in the recent past for the development of various initiatives related to the area referred to by the Deputy.

Funding of €10,824 was provided in 2013/2014 towards the completion of a Development Assessment for the area. In the context of this assessment, my Department also provided funding of €50,000 in 2014 towards the setting up and administration of a new Forum which was intended to become self-sustaining over time and act as a model which could be replicated in other areas. This Forum subsequently applied to my Department for funding through the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) initiative in 2015, and was successful in securing funding of €143,600 towards path repair works in the area in question. The funding provided has resulted in the formation of a sustainable dynamic model for the maintenance and development of access to one of Ireland’s greatest natural resources for recreational users.