Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
918. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the current status of the Cork County Outdoor Recreational Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56904/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra919. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to provide funding for a county outdoor recreation officer within Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56905/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 918 and 919 together.
A key action of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023- 2027, is the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plan to reflect the priorities of the national strategy in each county and to ensure the development of outdoor recreation in a county in a planned manner. This will create a more strategic approach and ensure that available funding and resources are better aligned with national and county priorities.
These plans will guide the development of outdoor recreation in each county over the next 5 years. It is anticipated that in time the funding decisions of applications submitted under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and potentially other funding sources will be linked to the plan.
My department is providing funding to support the development of the plans and, so far, 22 counties have commenced work on their plans.
Cork County Council submitted an Expression of Interest form to my Department for funding for the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plan for Cork on 11th September 2025. My officials are currently engaging with them on this and expect to approve funding in the coming weeks.
My department has also committed funding of €1.28 million over three years to support a pilot programme in partnership with Sport Ireland to introduce County Outdoor Recreation Officers in six Local Sport Partnerships – Clare, Longford, Sligo, Waterford, Mayo, and Meath.
These positions were introduced to support a more coordinated and strategic approach to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure at national and county levels and to develop and implement the county outdoor recreation plans in these areas.
The pilot has been in operation for over a year and as part of the pilot process an evaluation on the role and effectiveness of the positions will take place in the coming months. The evaluation will inform the decision as regards the establishment of such positions in any other locations.
