Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1032. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects in County Kildare considered for funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure projects; the number of projects considered nationally; the number provided with funding in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1668/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On 28^thMay last year, I launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for 2018, under three separate measures:

- Measure 1: Small maintenance/promotion of existing infrastructure (maximum grant €20,000),

- Measure 2: Medium scale repair/upgrade and development of new small/medium infrastructure (maximum grant €200,000), and

- Measure 3: Repair/upgrade and development of larger more strategic projects (grant of between €200,001 and €500,000).

Each applicant was entitled to submit up to 10 applications under Measure 1, and up to 4 applications under Measure 2. Local Development Companies were invited to apply under Measure 1 and, in the case of some counties, more than one Local Development Company applied.

Measure 3 was targeted at larger-scale projects with a potential regional or national impact, which could be delivered collaboratively by Local Authorities and/or State Agencies. One proposal per applicant was allowed under Measure 3.

Kildare County Council submitted 1 application under Measure 1 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2018, and 1 application under Measure 2.

The Measure 1 application was unsuccessful as it did not comply with the eligibility criteria indicated in the scheme guidelines. The Measure 2 application was approved for funding of €85,684 on the 8th January this year.

The table below provides details of the number of applications received by county and the number of projects approved under the 2018 scheme.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2018

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1033. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects in County Laois considered for funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure projects fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1669/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreation infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Ireland.

On 28^thMay last year, I launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for 2018, under three separate Measures:

- Measure 1: Small maintenance/promotion of existing infrastructure (maximum grant €20,000),

- Measure 2: Medium scale repair/upgrade and development of new small/medium infrastructure (maximum grant €200,000), and

- Measure 3: Repair/upgrade and development of larger more strategic projects (grant of between €200,001 and €500,000).

Each applicant was entitled to submit up to 10 applications under Measure 1, and up to 4 applications under Measure 2. Local Development Companies were invited to apply under Measure 1, while Local Authorities were applicants under Measure 2.

Measure 3 was targeted at larger-scale projects with a potential regional or national impact, which could be delivered collaboratively by Local Authorities and/or State Agencies. One proposal per applicant was allowed under Measure 3.

Laois Local Development Company submitted 9 applications for funding under Measure 1, and of those, 3 applications were approved for funding.

Laois County Council submitted 1 application under Measure 2. This application was assessed under Measure 3, as the level of funding sought was in excess of the maximum allowable under Measure 2. However, the application was not successful as it did not comply with the eligibility criteria indicated in the scheme guidelines.

In total, more than 220 projects were approved for funding to a value of €21 million across all three Measures of the 2018 Outdoor Infrastructure Scheme. The continued development of our recreational infrastructure will support Ireland’s developing rural tourism industry, and will also provide better recreational facilities for local people and families to enjoy.