Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

433. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department can provide funding to support Clare County Council and an organisation (details supplied) in their pursuit to develop a safe clifftop walk at the Cliffs of Moher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8801/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Cliffs of Moher trail has been on my Department's Walks Scheme since December 2010. Under that scheme, participants receive a modest payment to maintain the section of the trail that crosses their land. Since 2020, funding of over €132,000 has been paid to the landholders along the trail.

In that time, funding of €1.146 million has been allocated for 6 projects on the Cliffs of Moher trail under my Department's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This includes funding of €500,000 under the 2023 scheme for a project which, I understand, is still the subject of discussions between Clare County Council and the impacted landholders.

In December 2024, funding of €21,598 was allocated to Clare Local Development Company to assist them in responding to issues identified in a Sport Ireland Trail Inspection Report and to manage aspects of the resulting closure of sections of the trail.

It is recognised that the Cliffs of Moher trail, with its very high visitor numbers and geological and environmental challenges, poses unique challenges. With that in mind my Department, in conjunction with Clare County Council, Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) and Fáilte Ireland is currently supporting the development of a specific management plan for the Cliffs of Moher trail. The management plan will set out how the trail should be managed, protected, and maintained in the future. The draft management plan is due to be completed shortly.

My Department's ORIS scheme will continue to be available for capital works required along the trail.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

434. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has received an application for funding in 2023, 2024 or to date in 2025 regarding works to enable the reopening of the Bray-to-Greystones cliff walk; and the heading under which funding is available. [8878/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails.

Under the ORIS 2021 scheme, Wicklow County Council was approved funding of €198,000 to protect a section of eroded coastline along the Greystones to Bray Cliff Walk. Following the approval of the project, the collapse of the ground under the Cliff Walk at North Beach and the rock fall on Bray Head resulted in the closure of the walk.

As a result of the challenges faced, this project has not at this stage been delivered. The anticipated completion date for this project has now passed and Wicklow County Council has been provided with a number of extensions for the project. My Department continues to engage with Wicklow County Council with a view to completing the project or facilitating an application for an alternative approach under a future iteration of the ORIS.

I can confirm no application was received for the Bray-to-Greystones Cliff Walk under the 2023 ORIS scheme. The 2024/2025 ORIS scheme is currently open with a range of closing dates in March for applications under the various measures.