Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has today (Thursday, October 17) announced a further €20 million fund as part of the ‘Our Rural Future’ strategy.

The 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas.

It will support hundreds of outdoor recreation projects across the country, including the developments of natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, blue-ways, bogs, forest walks and upland areas.

The funding will provide not only an outlet for the communities in which they are situated – but will also deliver added value from a tourism perspective.

Since this scheme was launched in 2016, over €129 million has been provided to support over 1,770 projects.

Launching the 2024/25 scheme, Minister Humphreys said: “At the national outdoor recreation conference in Sligo earlier this year, I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm and interest of everyone in the sector.

“With this €20 million Fund now announced, we are well on track to realise my goal of making Rural Ireland a first class destination for adventure tourism,” Minister Humphreys said.

Our Rural Future

The minister said that the department’s walks scheme also continues to grow and will soon have over 150 trails signed up to the scheme.

“This scheme facilitates walkers to enjoy rural Ireland and provides modest incomes to landowners who maintain sections of trails that traverse their lands,” Minister Humphreys said.

The minister said that funding of €1 million was provided last month to support the work of the community groups who develop and manage many walking trails.

“The funding that I am announcing today will further add to the world class offering of reactional amenities that Ireland now has to offer.

“There are so many different opportunities out there for us to enjoy the great outdoors, so I would encourage everyone to get out there and see these wonderful amenities for yourself,” Minister Humphreys added.