Written Answers Nos. 380-383
380. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when local authorities will be notified of the reasons projects were unsuccessful for this year’s outdoor recreation funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70584/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding under several measures for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland.
Applications submitted under ORIS are subject to a competitive assessment process conducted by my officials. Last month I was delighted to announce funding of over €16 million for successful projects under measures 2 and 3 of the 2024/2025 fund. This is in addition to funding of €8.7m I announced in August under the other scheme measures.
While this is the highest amount of funding approved under the scheme since it was established in 2016, not all applications were successful in being funded. My officials are available to discuss any unsuccessful project applications with the local authorities and local development companies who manage the scheme locally, and I would encourage any such applicants to contact the ORIS section in my Department in this regard. My officials are in ongoing contact with delivery partners in any case, and also host information sessions for applicants when a new round of the scheme is open. These information sessions have proved a useful forum to discuss scheme requirements and the application process directly with local authority and local development company staff who are engaged in the operational management of ORIS applications.`
381. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to address communities who do not meet criteria for footpath projects under the outdoor recreation funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70585/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding under a number of measures for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland. A large proportion of the funding goes to support walking trails.
Projects funded under ORIS should, in the main, be located in the countryside (i.e. not within the environs of towns or villages). However, ORIS funds recreational infrastructure linking a town or village to significant outdoor recreation facilities located in the countryside. The scheme has funded the provision of pathways to create such linkages. However, It should be noted, the provision and maintenance of footpaths within towns and villages is not supported by the scheme.
The provision of paths within towns and villages is a matter for local authorities. Depending on the nature of the project, the deputy may wish to explore the potential for active travel funding through the Department of Transport. Indeed, funding for public realm works may also be eligible as part of larger regeneration projects funded under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme or the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
382. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has plans to expand CLÁR areas in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70586/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. I was pleased to announce funding of €12.3 million for over 200 projects under the CLÁR programme just last week.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligible CLÁR areas. The statistical analysis for this review has now been completed and I am currently considering the content of the resulting report. It is intended that any changes to be introduced as a result of the review will be implemented before the next iteration of the scheme is launched next year.
383. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will give detailed consideration to a report published by a national organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70761/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the report published by the GAA National Demographics Committee on 4 December.
Indeed, I was very pleased to meet, along with Minister Buttimer from my Department, with the GAA in September as part of the consultation process on the next iteration of Ireland’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future. During that meeting, we had the opportunity to hear first-hand about some of the issues raised in the report and the important work they are doing within their communities and at national level to address the challenges facing clubs in rural Ireland. Similarly, this week I met with the Football Association of Ireland, while my officials have engaged with Sport Ireland in relation to the development of the new policy.
Our Rural Future seeks to ensure that rural areas are attractive for people to live, work and raise their families. One of the high-level outcomes set out in the current policy is for an increase in the number of people living in rural areas.
According to the OECD, rural remote regions in Ireland recorded the highest population growth of all OECD countries between 2001 and 2021 and CSO figures show a 7% increase in highly rural remote areas between 2011 and 2022.
I am however aware that there are variations across rural areas within these overarching figures, and the sustainability of all rural areas remains a key focus for Government.
The challenges around attracting and retaining young people and their families in rural areas have featured in our consultations on the new policy and will continue to shape its development.
The new policy will build on the momentum of Our Rural Future and the actions delivered to support our aim of increasing the population in rural areas through initiatives focused on remote working, broadband and digital connectivity, rural transport, support for rural enterprises, support for the agri-food sector, and more.
Rural development remains integrally linked to the work of all relevant Departments and we will continue our whole-of-Government approach as we develop this next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy.
It will be supported by clear and practical actions, developed across Government, and backed by substantial investment in rural Ireland.
The final phase of public consultation is open for written submissions until 12 December and I strongly encourage all interested parties to make a submission and to help shape the future of rural policy.
Government is committed to building on the success of Our Rural Future and securing a more sustainable and resilient future for our rural communities.
