Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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84. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of 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 moneys are at risk of return or if the funds have been secured for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53406/22]

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.

In February 2020, Louth County Council was approved funding of €200,000 under ORIS to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. To date no funding has been drawn down on this project.

In September 2021, the Department approved a proposal by the Council to change the scope of the project, on the condition that a Project Implementation Plan would be submitted. A draft plan was submitted in January 2022 which indicated an expected completion project date of December 2022.

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

Given the issues that have arisen with the delivery of this project, I have asked my officials to engage once again with Louth County Council allowing them a further eight weeks to progress the project. If sufficient progress has not been made in this time frame my officials will engage with the Council again in relation to decommitting this funding and the possible next steps.

It will be open to Louth County Council to submit a new application under future rounds of funding once the necessary consents are in place.