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 natural amenities in Ireland such as mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, blue-ways, bogs, forest walks and upland areas.
The 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.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said she was very pleased to launch the fund for 2024/2025.
“Through Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national outdoor recreation strategy, my Department is working to transform the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.
“At the national outdoor recreation conference in Sligo earlier this year, I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm and interest of everyone in the sector.
“It is clear to see that, through our ongoing investment and the work that is happening on the ground, the outdoor recreation sector is going from strength to strength.
“With this €20 million Fund now announced, we are well on track to realise my goal of making Rural Ireland a first class destination for adventure tourism,” she said.
The Scheme is administered at a local level by local authorities and local development companies and will prioritise projects which have evidence of strong community engagement.
Since this scheme was launched in 2016, over €129 million has been provided to support more than 1,770 projects.
The major funding announced today 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.
Minister Humphreys said that her Department’s ‘Walks Scheme’ continues to grow and will soon have over 150 trails signed up to the scheme.
The scheme facilitates walkers to enjoy rural Ireland and provides modest incomes to landowners who maintain sections of trails that traverse their lands.
“Last month, Minister Humphreys announced funding of €1 million to support the work of the community groups who develop and manage many of Ireland’s walking trails.
“There has never been as much investment in this sector.
“The funding that I am announcing today 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,” she added.
