Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years.

ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. Since the launch of the Scheme, funding in excess of €106 million has been approved, supporting more than 1,500 projects across Ireland. Last year, I approved projects to the value of almost €20 million under the Scheme.

The 2022 Scheme provided funding as follows:

- Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €30,000)

- Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000)

- Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000)

- Project development costs for strategic medium/large scale projects (up to €50,000)

The upgrade of trails and the provision of seating and viewpoints on mountain walks are eligible under the Scheme. The 2023 Scheme is currently being reviewed and I expect to launch it later this year with a budget of some €16 million.

In addition, my Department also administers the Walks Scheme. This Scheme facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s walking trails. One such trail is the Táin Way, located on the Cooley Mountains. The Walks Scheme is managed at a local level on behalf of my Department by Louth LEADER Partnership. Funding is also available through this scheme to provide maintenance and furniture for The Táin Way.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the public realm improvements scheme for the enhancement of the River Barrow in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, due to be completed under the town and village renewal scheme. [9022/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.

The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country.

Since the launch of the Scheme in 2016, almost €149 million has been allocated to more than 1,600 projects across Ireland. The total allocation for projects in Carlow from 2016 to 2022 is more than €6m.

I can confirm an application for funding was submitted by Carlow County Council to my Department for Bagenalstown under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Funding of €500,000 was allocated to this project for the development of a multi-purpose space and the enhancement of the River Barrow for the community of Bagenalstown.

Carlow County Council has until 31 August 2024 to have works under the scheme completed.