Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
935. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the implementation of the national outdoor recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47641/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEmbracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027 was published in November 2022. The implementation of the strategy is being jointly led by my Department and Sport Ireland.
Progress in delivering the strategy is being monitored through a strategy oversight group and quarterly meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe. The 1st and 2nd progress reports on the implementation of the strategy are available on my Department's website. The 3rd progress report which will cover the period of July 2025 to June 2026 will be published later in the year.
Some of the progress worth highlighting includes the new county structures that are being put in place to support outdoor recreation throughout each county. This includes the establishment of new County Outdoor Recreation Committees and the development of an Outdoor Recreation Plan in each county.
These plans are being finalised across the country. They will guide the development of outdoor recreation in each county over the next 5 years and will create a more strategic approach to ensure that investment is better aligned with national and county priorities. My Department is providing funding to support the development of the plans and, so far, 24 counties have commenced work on their plans. County Outdoor Recreation Committees are being established to deliver these plans.
Earlier this year my Department commissioned an independent midterm review of the Strategy to assess the impact of the strategy to date and to inform the design of the next iteration of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors. The review will be completed by the end of the year.
On the 25th June 2026 I am looking forward to welcoming over 250 delegates from national and county organisations involved in the outdoor recreation sector to the third National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Co. Cavan. The conference is integral to the delivery of the strategy by providing networking opportunities, and opportunities to share best practice and inform policy implementation and development.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which is funded by my Department, continues to be an important contributor to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blueways, mountain access routes and open water facilities at rivers, lakes and beaches.
Since the scheme was established, funding of over €154 million has been approved for more than 2,060 outdoor amenities across the country.
Progress on each action in the strategy will be reported on in the 3rd progress report which will be published later in the year. My Department, in conjunction with Sport Ireland, continues to implement the remaining strategy actions to address the challenges and opportunities of this exciting and growing sector.
