Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of her engagement with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the employment of additional rural recreational officers. [50122/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.

On 29 September, I announced the 'approval in principle' of 31 new trails to join the Walks Scheme. In order to facilitate this expansion, and in keeping with recommendations from the recently published review of the Walks Scheme, I have committed to funding 8 new Rural Recreation Officer (RROs) posts in Local Development Companies. This is in addition to the 13 posts already in place. I have also committed to providing additional administration funding for the Local Development Companies to support them in delivering the scheme locally. It is anticipated that there will be new RROs facilitating the delivery of trails in Kerry, Louth, Waterford, Limerick, Cavan and surrounding areas, and the Islands.

Funding for an additional RRO post is also being provided to the organisation in West Cork referred to by the Deputy given the large number of existing participants on the scheme there. There will also be a new RRO post for the remainder of County Cork. The funding for these positions will ultimately be determined by the development of an acceptable business case by the companies concerned. My Department has been engaging with the relevant Local Development Companies in this regard.