Written answer
Rural Recreation Policy
Offaly is currently covered by a Rural Recreation Officer employed through Connect Laois, while Dublin, Meath and Westmeath have none. A separate Offaly post may be considered if the local development company submits a business case demonstrating need, subject to departmental assessment and budget constraints.
4147. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if County Offaly will receive a rural recreation officer; the expected timeline for appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62194/26]
Comment on this
4148. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide a breakdown of counties currently without a rural recreation officer; the criteria used to determine allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62195/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4147 and 4148 together.
Under my department’s Walks Scheme, modest funding is provided to private landholders who maintain the walking trails that traverse their land. The trail must be approved and registered on Sport Ireland’s Trail Register in order to be considered for the scheme. The Scheme is currently operating on 140 trails, supported by approximately 2,879 landowners, with work ongoing to bring a further 24 trails into the scheme.
My department currently provides funding for 23 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in 22 Local Development Companies (LDCs) that are active in delivering my department's Walks Scheme. These RROs assist with the delivery of the Walks Scheme, as well as supporting other rural recreation initiatives. In three instances RROs cover more than one county. There are no RROs covering Dublin, Meath and Westmeath and there are no trails on the Walks Scheme in these counties.
In respect of County Offaly there is currently a RRO employed through Connect Laois, formerly Laois Partnership Company, who has responsibility for delivering the Walks Scheme and other associated rural recreation initiatives in both Laois and Offaly. There are 5 trails on the scheme in Laois and 1 in Offaly, with a total of 48 participants across the 2 counties.
Contact details for all the RROs can be found on my Department's page on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/policy-information/the-walks-scheme-and-rural-recreation-officers/#rural-recreation-officers.
My department will consider requests for a RRO posts in a county on the basis of an acceptable business case being submitted by the LDC concerned. Any business case should demonstrate the need for the resource in the county. It should include details of the number of trails that are currently in place and those that are being developed, as well as the potential improvements that the proposed officer will add to the outdoor recreation sector in the county. It should also identify any other priorities that will form part of the role, including in respect of engagement with the relevant County Outdoor Recreation Committee.
My department has discussed the development of a business case for a sole RRO in Offaly with the LDC based there but has not yet received a business case in respect of same. Agreement to fund any additional posts would have to be determined by the Department’s assessment of the business case and subject to the usual budget constraints.