FUNDING FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION SCHEME

It’s great news that the Department of Community and Rural Development, in which I am the Minister of State, has announced €10 million in funding for the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The scheme, which will get additional funding from Fáilte Ireland, supports walking and cycling trails throughout the country.
Since the introduction of the scheme in 2016, the Department has funded more than 600 projects.
In the most recent round, local awards included €100,000 to develop the Hymany Way in Portumna, €199,000 for Galway County Council to develop walking trails in Clarinbridge for the Cowpark, Coillte and Brothers of Charity sites and €100,000 for Loughrea’s Local Heritage Working Group for restoration projects.
The initiative is a great boost for tourism but also improves everyone’s quality of life because we can all enjoy these improved local amenities.
The scheme is delivered through local authorities, state agencies and other relevant bodies. Funding ranges from €5,000 to €500,000 depending on the scale and quality of the project.
Full details of the scheme will be issued to local authorities and other relevant bodies in the coming days.