My Department is committed to supporting the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities throughout Ireland, including in rural communities and Gaeltacht areas. My Department delivers a range of funding schemes and interventions which advance the economic, cultural and social development of rural areas. I would, however, note that the overall development of the tourism sector is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Many of the schemes operated by my Department are providing significant investment in tourism infrastructure and supports - and are doing so in a way which promote community led ideas and projects. These include, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER, Town and Village Renewal, and CLÁR.
Of particular importance with regard to rural tourism is the ongoing investment in outdoor recreation. My Department is responsible for the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 - Embracing Ireland's Outdoors. The strategy sets out a series of actions, across Government, which are leading on the sustainable development and management of the outdoor recreation sector. Both the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Walks Scheme support delivery of this strategy.
Since 2020 some 593 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme projects, worth almost €46 million were approved in the 9 counties of the Wild Atlantic Way namely Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
Examples of these projects include €180,000 for the upgrade of track and trailhead enhancement for Carrowteige Loop Walks (Benwee Head), Co Mayo, and €200,000 for the development of around 15km of coastal path along the Wild Atlantic Way, Céide Coastal Path.
The Walks Scheme provides funding to private landholders who maintain the walking trails that traverse their land. There are now 164 trails that are fully approved or have approval in principle to join the Walks Scheme compared to just 39 trails on the scheme at the end of 2019. There are a number of Walk Scheme trails situated along the Wild Atlantic Way, including the Bluestack Way, Co Donegal; the Beara Way, Co Cork; the Dingle Way, Co Kerry, and; the Sheeps Head Way, Co Cork.
This type of investment is ensuring sustainable tourism and helping to protect and promote the value of our natural heritage.
I would also note that the LEADER scheme is providing investment in bottom up approaches to project development in rural areas, again ensuring investment in the social and economic development of communities that is very much led by communities. Some €79.3 million is allocated under the current programme to the counties along the Wild Atlantic Way, and this will fund a range of projects including ones aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.
Finally, I would note the scale of overall investment by my Department across the funding schemes, with in the region of €174 million allocated to the counties along the Wild Atlantic Way in 2025 alone.
