Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has announced that over €6.5 million is being made available in funding for 38 projects under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

[colored_box color="green"]The scheme provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways.[/colored_box]

The funding announced today (Thursday, March 4) will benefit 38 medium-sized projects, with funding of up to €200,000 each.

This investment is in addition to €3.2 million approved for 173 smaller Measure 1 projects in January and is being funded in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.

Examples of the projects awarded funding today include:

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“The value we place on our outdoor amenities, and the contribution which they make to our physical and mental wellbeing, has never been more appreciated than during the current Covid-19 pandemic. 

“We can also expect our outdoor recreation facilities to play an important part in supporting Ireland’s social and economic recovery as restrictions on movements are relaxed and the tourism sector re-opens.

“These facilities will make such a difference to communities and will also have a hugely positive impact on tourism.”

‘Unique natural heritage of our country’

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin added:

“Successful delivery of these projects will encourage activities-based outdoor recreation and tourism in communities throughout the country. 

“This will play a key role in developing environmentally-sustainable tourism and allowing people to experience more closely the unique natural heritage of our country.”

[colored_box color="green"]Since 2016, the Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated over €61 million to 959 projects through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.[/colored_box]

The minister is expected to make a further announcement in respect of Measure 3 projects (larger projects accessing funding of up to €500,000 each) in the coming weeks.