Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
917. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of rural recreation officers in place in Cork county; their base location within the county; the respective areas covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56903/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department currently provides funding for 23 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in 22 Local Development Companies (LDCs) countrywide. The RRO assists with the delivery of my department’s Walks Scheme and supports other rural recreation initiatives at local level.
Under the Walks Scheme landholders are contracted to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The Scheme is currently operating on 116 trails, supported by approximately 2,691 landowners.
There are currently 4 RO’s supporting the Walks Scheme in Co Cork, as per the table below. This is the most of any county.
3 of these RROs are based in Cork, with the 4th having responsibility for the Walks Scheme trails on all the offshore islands, not just those in Cork. There are 2 RROs in West Cork given the volume of landholders on the Walks Scheme there.
|
Local Development Company |
Base location |
Number of RRO's |
Area Covered |
|
West Cork Development Partnership |
Bantry, Co Cork |
2 |
West County Cork |
|
IRD Duhallow |
Newmarket, Co Cork |
1 |
North, South and East County Cork |
|
Comhar na nOilean |
Inis Oir, Co Galway |
1 |
Islands off the coast of Ireland |
Contact details for all the RROs can be found on my Department's page on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/policy-information/the-walks-scheme-and-rural-recreation-officers/#rural-recreation-officers
