Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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513. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce an annual funding stream for the maintenance and development of walking trails, similar to the allocation of funds provided to walking groups in 2022; if she agrees that such funding is vital for these hard-working community groups to maintain and developed trails throughout the country, which are contributing to rural communities and outdoor pursuits across rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23745/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I launched Ireland’s National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, in November 2022. It provides a strategic, collaborative framework to facilitate the consolidation and sustainable growth of the outdoor recreation sector. The strategy addresses the challenges facing the sector as well as putting structures in place to allow us enjoy the many economic, social and health benefits of outdoor recreation

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors recognises the value of outdoor recreation amenities, not just for individual and community wellbeing, but also for the tourism impact that amenities such as walking trails can have on the local economy.

My Department invests heavily in trails throughout the entire country through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and the Walks Scheme. My Department also has a strategic partnership with Coillte for the enhancement and maintenance of the trails located on Coillte land.

ORIS provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of over €113 million has supported more than 1,700 projects across the country.

At the end of March, I was delighted to announce the approval of 151 successful projects to the value of over €4.1 million under measure 1 of the 2023 scheme. This was in addition to 50 projects with funding of €2.3 million approved last year through the Project Development Measure under ORIS 2023. Applications submitted under measures 2 and 3 of the 2023 scheme are currently being assessed. I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement very shortly on the successful projects under these measures.

It is my intention to launch another round of ORIS later this year and I would encourage community groups such as those referred to by the deputy to apply for ORIS funding through their Local Development Company or their local authority.

My Department's Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 and is aimed at private landholders. It supports the development, enhancement and maintenance of walking trails which are approved by Sport Ireland and are listed on the National Trails Register.

As part of the Walks Scheme a ‘materials budget’ is supplied to participating LDC's to cover the costs of purchasing everyday materials for the participants to undertake the works needed on their portion of the trails. Funding is also provided for once-off costs associated with small capital projects including developing re-routes of trails which are on the Walks Scheme under the Walks Scheme Development Funding. Last month I approved funding of over €400,000 for such works on 43 trails.

I acknowledge and appreciate the work of all the community trail management organisations developing and maintaining wonderful walking trails all over the country. That is why, in addition to all of the supports already referenced, I announced almost €1m in grant funding in 2022 to further support the trail management organisations who manage trails listed on the Sport Ireland Trail Register. While this was intended to be a once-off grant, I have asked my officials to keep the position under review in respect of the need for further supports in the future, bearing in mind budgetary constraints.