Brendan Griffin
Question:327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the ORIS stream 3 funding allocations will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/24]
View answerThursday, 18 April 2024
Questions (327)
Written answers
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of over €113 million has supported more than 1,700 projects across the country.
Last year, I launched the 2023 ORIS scheme with applications invited under the following four Measures:
• Measure 1: small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000,
• Measure 2: medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,
• Measure 3: large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and
• Project Development Measure: funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects.
Under the Project Development Measure, I approved funding of almost €2.3 million to support preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage. This investment will ensure a strong pipeline of outdoor amenity projects right across the country in the coming years.
Last month, 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. These include a range of outdoor adventure projects throughout rural Ireland.
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 in the coming weeks on the successful projects under these Measures.