“The 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme has been launched today. Since this scheme was launched in 2016, over €129 million has been provided to support over 1,770 projects. This funding will add further to this project pipeline. Through ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy, it will aid to transform the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland”, Cork North-West Fine Gael General Election Candidate Cllr. John Paul O’Shea has said.
“Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is to provide a range of funding opportunities, up to a maximum value of €500,000. It will develop develop upland areas, lakes, rivers, beaches, blueways, walking trails and forest walks. This will focus on supporting outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paragliding and kite-surfing” says O’Shea.
This comes after the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announced a major €20 million fund which will support hundreds of outdoor recreation projects across the country.
Cllr O’Shea says: “The 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas.
“It will see the development of our natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, blue-ways, bogs, forest walks and upland areas.
“This funding will provide not only an outlet for the communities in which they are situated – but will also deliver added value from a tourism perspective.
Cllr O’Shea added: “The Walks Scheme continues to grow and will soon have over 150 trails signed up to the scheme. This scheme facilitates walkers to enjoy rural Ireland and provides modest incomes to landowners who maintain sections of trails that traverse their lands.
“Just last month, funding of €1 million was announced to support the work of the community groups who develop and manage many of our walking trails. There has never been as much investment in this sector.
“This funding will further add to the world class offering of reactional amenities that Ireland now has to offer.
“There are so many different opportunities out there for us to enjoy the great outdoors, so I would encourage everyone to get out there and see these wonderful amenities for yourself.”
Cllr O’Shea concluded: “Today’s announcement is a key strand of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the Government’s ambitious outdoor recreation strategy. The Strategy aims to grow the sector in a sustainable manner, increase the number of people active in the outdoors, and foster a greater understanding of how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.”
Full details of the Outdoor Recreation Scheme are available at gov.ie – Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (www.gov.ie)
