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

1576. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the total amount spent by his Department and public bodies that operate under his remit on developing and upgrading recreational amenities in forested areas. [13459/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

My Department makes payments for developing and upgrading recreational amenities in forested areas under two schemes - The Neighbourwood Scheme and the Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme.

The NeighbourWood Scheme supports the development of attractive close-to-home woodland amenities (or ‘neighbourwoods’) for public use and enjoyment. The scheme is available to both public and private landowners, working in partnership with local communities. Funding is available under this scheme for the installation and upgrade of recreational facilities in forested areas.

The Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme aims to encourage Public Bodies to establish new native woodlands on suitable bare land. There are four grant elements to the scheme, two for planting and two for recreational facilities. The recreational elements are Element 3 Trails and Signage and Element 4 Forest Playgrounds.

Payments made under these schemes in 2022 and 2021 are outlined in the tables below.