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

1971. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a schedule of the headings under which he can provide direct funding and-or grant aid to community groups and-or volunteer groups in respect of public realm upgrades and-or enhancements, maintenance of rights of way, walkways and so on; the direct funding he can provide to local authorities for disbursement; and if his Department has schemes that persons can access such as ORIS funding. [12424/25]

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

Supports for public realm improvements and walkways are available from my Department, in collaboration with local authorities, through a range of different investment schemes.

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. Applications from community groups are accepted through local authorities and local development companies.

My Department also has a scheme in place to support landholders to maintain walking routes that traverse their land. The Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 and is implemented on behalf of my Department by designated Local Development Companies (LDCs) in association with Local Trail Management Organisations, Sport Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

As part of the Walks Scheme additional funding is provided to participating LDC's to cover the costs of purchasing everyday materials and funding is also provided for once-off costs associated with small capital projects under the Walks Scheme Development Funding.

Furthermore, in addition to supports provided under the Walks Scheme, my Department provided grant funding of almost €1m in 2022 and €1m in 2024 directly to community trail management organisations who manage walking trails listed on the Sport Ireland Trail Register.

The regeneration and revitalisation of our rural towns and villages is supported through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). The TVRS has supported public realm upgrades within town and village centres, particularly where they support access to town or village centre markets which attract a high level of footfall. It has also provided funding for the renovation and development of parks and the provision of walkways as part of larger revitalisation projects. Similar to the ORIS, the TVRS is delivered through local authorities.

Lastly, the LEADER programme provides funding to support private enterprises and community groups who improve the quality of life and economic activity in rural areas. While the LEADER programme may be relevant to this query, funding is not provided for works that normally come within the remit of local authorities or works that are included in the development plan of a local authority. Prospective applicants can contact their LEADER Local Action Group (LAG), through their Implementing Partner, to discuss potential projects. Contact details are available on www.gov.ie/leader.

Details of all of these and other programmes are available on my Department's website.

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

1972. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a schedule for each local authority of the amount of ORIS funding granted in each of the years 2019 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the heading and or purpose in which the funding was granted; if the funding was unused and or withdrawn and or surrendered back and reason for same; and the further breakdown of the local authorities that did not make applications for funding over the same timeframe. [12431/25]

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. The 2024/2025 ORIS scheme is currently open. The deadline for applications under measure 1 and the Project Development Measure (PDM) has now passed. Applications under measures 2 and 3 will be accepted up until Friday, March 28th.

The details provided follow on from clarification sought from the deputy's office. Table 1 provides detail on the amount of ORIS funding granted to local authorities for outdoor recreational infrastructure in each year from 2019 to 2024. Tables 2 and 3 provide data on the level of funding surrendered, withdrawn or unspent for the local authorities in Kildare and Wicklow for the same timeframe.

All of this information relates to the funding approvals per calendar year rather than each annual iteration of the scheme. For example, projects under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the ORIS 2023 scheme were formally announced at the start of 2024 and are included under the 2024 column.

No funding has been awarded in 2025 as of yet. Also referenced are the local authorities that did not make applications for funding over the same timeframe.

Table 1: Funding award per local authority

Note: €0 refers to where applications were submitted but no projects were awarded funding.

Table 2: Funding withdrawn, unused or surrendered by Kildare County Council

Table 3: Funding withdrawn, unused or surrendered by Wicklow County Council