Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to discuss National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 and Rural Recreation Programmes

The Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, 24 September, to discuss the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 and Rural Recreation Programmes.

The meeting at 9:30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will split into two sessions:

• 9:45am-10:45am – Engagement on Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors: National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 with officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht;

• 10:45am-12:00pm – Engagement on matters relating to Rural Recreation Programmes with representatives from County Wicklow Partnership.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy John Paul O’Shea said: “The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy covers the 2023-2027 period and this meeting with Department officials provides an opportunity for the Committee to glean an overview of developments and review the strategy and schemes and its implementation at the mid-way point.

“In our second session, the Committee has invited representatives from County Wicklow Partnership to discuss rural recreation programmes, the roles of local recreation officers and local strategies, how local recreation programmes can be developed and enhanced. This engagement gives Members an opportunity to hear key insights from those working in the recreational field at local and community level in endeavouring to promote the outdoors and rural trails.”

The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.