Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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67. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views in relation to expanding the number of community recreation officers within local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8491/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 Walks Scheme is currently operating on 59 trails supported by approximately 2,270 landowners. The scheme is managed by 20 Local Development Companies (LDCs) around the country.

At present, my Department funds 21 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in these LDCs, with a contribution towards costs also being made by Fáilte Ireland. The RROs manage the Walks Scheme at a local level. They work with the landholders to ensure that the designated walks are maintained at an approved standard, with repairs and improvements made as appropriate. They also make a significant contribution to the development of the outdoor recreation sector locally.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoorsthe recently published National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023- 2027 includes a commitment to increase the number of walks covered by the Scheme to 150. This is in recognition of the value of outdoor recreation amenities, not just for individual and community wellbeing, but also for the tourism impact these trails have on a local economy.

I hope to open an expression of interest call for new trails under the Scheme later this year. As part of this expansion, my Department will give consideration to increasing the number of RROs, particularly in counties which have trails joining the Scheme but which do not have a RRO.