Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme funding for walking infrastructure in County Carlow for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50159/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. It is funded by my Department in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.

Since 2016, my Department has invested €68 million in almost 1,000 projects under the scheme. Over that period, 16 projects to the value of €994,907 have been approved under the Scheme for County Carlow. Indeed earlier this year, I approved funding for the following projects:

- €371,250 to connect the Wicklow Way with the South Leinster Way

- €200,000 for Oak Park Forest Park Looped Walks

- €19,913 for signage along the River Barrow towpath

The 2021 scheme was launched in April and over 310 applications were received seeking funding of almost €25 million. My officials are currently assessing applications submitted under ORIS 2021 on a measure by measure basis and I hope to be in a position to announce details of successful applications by year end.