The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a series of measures to maximise Ireland’s rural tourism and recreation potential in recognition of the contribution that these sectors make to rural economies. Actions under this Pillar are implemented across a number of Government Departments and agencies.
My own Department delivers a number of funding initiatives that support the development of rural recreational infrastructure and I will continue to deliver these initiatives in 2018.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure. In 2016 and 2017 the scheme facilitated the development of numerous greenways, blueways, walks and other trails across the country. This scheme will continue to support important local, regional and national rural recreation projects in 2018 and I will be launching the scheme in April.
In 2016, Rural Recreational funding of €7.4 million was approved for 117 projects to facilitate the development of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing recreational infrastructure throughout Ireland.
The 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provided funding under the following measures;
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development
Funding of €11.4M was allocated under Measure 1 and Measure 3 for a total of 219 projects. Additional funding of €2.2M was allocated in January 2018 under Measure 2 of the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for 32 projects.
Lists of all projects funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme can be found on my Departments website at
http://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-development/rural-recreation/.