4172. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available under each measure of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme 2026; the maximum allocation available to County Monaghan; the expected timeframe for determining applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63841/26]

The 2026-27 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) was launched on June 3rd, with an allocation of €20 million to support the development and maintenance of recreational projects nationwide.

In County Monaghan, both Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Integrated Development have access to ORIS funding opportunities. ORIS applications are assessed on a competitive basis and maximum allocations are not set at country level. However there are limits to the number of applications that can be submitted by each applicant body.

Funding is available under four measures, as follows.

Measure 1: Funding of up to €40,000 is available under this Measure for small scale repair, maintenance, development and promotional work. A maximum of 6 applications can be submitted by each local authority, while a maximum of 3 applications can be submitted by each local development company. Where a local authority has a Gaeltacht area and/or an offshore Island, they will be permitted to submit one additional measure 1 application under this Measure.

Measure 2: Funding of up to €200,000 is available under this Measure for medium scale repair, maintenance and upgrade works, and new trail and amenity development projects. A maximum of 3 applications can be submitted by each local authority, while a maximum of 1 application may be submitted per local development company and state body.

Measure 3: Funding of up to €500,000 is available under this Measure for strategic large-scale repair and upgrade work as well as new strategic trail and amenity development projects. Local authorities and state bodies can submit 1 application each under this Measure.

Project Development Measure (PDM): This Measure focuses on supporting development costs for new projects. Local authorities can submit up to four applications up to a combined value of €100,000, local development companies can submit up to three applications up to a combined value of €70,000 and state bodies can submit one application to the value of €50,000. If sufficient demand and interest exist, local authorities can submit one additional application for equestrian trails and bridleways up to €50,000. Local authorities with a Gaeltacht area and/or an offshore Island may also submit one additional application under this measure up to €50,000.

The deadline for receipt of Measure 1 and PDM applications is September 25th, 2026. For Measures 2 &3, the deadline date for receipt of applications is December 15th. I expect to announce funding allocations under the Scheme next year.