Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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747. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update on the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if the timelines for commencement of the project are still on target for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26456/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure.

Under Measure 2 of the ORIS 2019 Scheme, Louth County Council was approved €200,000 to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. No funding has been drawn down on this project to date.

Last year, the Department approved a proposal by the Council to change the scope of the project on condition that a Project Implementation Plan would be submitted. This plan was furnished and indicated an expected completion date of December 2022.

My officials have been in contact again with Louth County Council, who have advised that further delays are envisaged as the project is subject to planning approval by An Bord Pleanála. The Council have also advised that the revised project will not be deliverable as estimated costs have increased.

Given the issues that have arisen with the delivery of this project, I have asked my officials to engage again with Louth County Council as to the options for ensuring efficient and effective delivery. These options will include the decommittal of the current application with a view to resubmitting a new application under later rounds of funding which would take into account the revised circumstances of the project.