Minister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has welcomed funding of €135,747 for the development three outdoor adventure projects in Galway.
The Great Outdoors
The investment comes under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which aims to enhance our outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches. The projects, which were announced on Tuesday as part of 50 outdoor recreation projects, will provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism.
Tidal Pool
In Galway, the three projects are:
· Rinville Forest Park Masterplan: Plan to develop a Major Tourism Attraction, Building on the Unique Heritage of Renville Forest Park – €49,950.
· Ballinasloe Outdoor Recreation Park: Feasibility study exploring the options for the development of a public park in Ballinasloe – €49,950.
· Linn Taoide Arainn: Feasibility Study for Provision of tidal pool on Arainn along the seashore – €35,847.45
These projects are receiving funding to bring them to a shovel-ready stage. Once at a shovel ready stage, they will be in a position to secure further funding through the other measures of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Minister Rabbitte commented:
This funding is a very welcome investment for Galway, which will bring these three projects a step closer to reality. Ultimately, the plans being developed aim to make our amenities even more enjoyable places for families to visit.
These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I would encourage everyone who can to get out and about, and make the most of what our countryside has to offer, particularly as we head into the darker days of winter and those precious daylight hours start to dwindle.
There’s massive scope across Galway for investment in such amenities and my hope would be for this to continue over the coming years and ensure other towns see similar funding provided.
Forest Bathing
The Government’s Rural Development policy, “Our Rural Future”, has allowed us to invest in our outdoor amenities at a level never before seen in Ireland.
The economic and social benefits of this investment for our rural heartland can be seen today through the unprecedented number of people enjoying the new amenities funded.
It’s also great to say that this investment will mark another step forward in delivering on the Government’s ambitious new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy – Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.
concluded Minister Rabbitte.
About Our Rural Future
Portumna Forest Park
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025 It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas
Portumna Forest Park
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, launched in 2023 was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative Cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:
· Measure 1: Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €30,000 grant available)
· Measure 2: Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000 grant available)
· Measure 3: Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000 grant available)
· Project Development Measure: Development costs for strategic large scale Measure 2 or Measure 3 type projects e.g. detailed design, preparation for the planning and/or procurement, appropriate assessment etc. (up to €50,000 grant available)
Funding of up to 90% of the total approved project costs is awarded, with the additional 10% to be provided from other sources. Further announcements expected on the other measures early next year.
Recent Comments