Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced today that €8.7 million will be allocated to deliver 221 recreation-based projects nationwide through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
Wicklow County Council is pleased to announce that as part of this funding, €306,750 will be allocated to Wicklow for new and upgrading outdoor recreation projects across the County.
This investment, under the ORIS scheme, will be crucial for enhancing Ireland’s mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways and outdoor swimming amenities.
The funding announced today is in respect to Measure 1 (small-scale repair and development of recreational infrastructure) and the Project Development Measure of the Scheme. Further announcements regarding Measures 2 and 3 will be made in the coming months.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Calleary said, “The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme continues to deliver on the commitments outlined in Our Rural Future and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, and builds on unprecedented levels of investment in this sector over recent years.”
Five projects, totalling €207,300, have been approved for Wicklow County Council to implement throughout the County, including one Project Development Measure and four Measure 1 projects:
| Measure |
Project Name |
ORIS Funding |
| PDM |
Disability and Outdoor Recreation |
€47,700 |
| 1 |
Brockagh Forest Science and Discovery Area |
€40,000 |
| 1 |
Wicklow Harbour Sea-Trac |
€40,000 |
| 1 |
Vartry Anglers Disabled Access |
€40,000 |
| 1 |
Wild Swimming Infrastrucure |
€39,600 |
Additionally, three further Measure 1 projects have been approved for County Wicklow Partnership, amounting to €99,450.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, stated, “This scheme is administered at a local level by the local authority, landowners and stakeholders, who prioritise projects that have evidence of strong community engagement”.
Emer O’Gorman, Wicklow County Council’s Chief Executive, added, “I would like to acknowledge the essential role of the Department in providing this funding, which enables us to achieve the goals of the County Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Strategy developing the outdoor recreation sector around our county in a sustainable manner.”
Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Climate, Environment, Recreation and Amenity, said, “This scheme allows us to invest in recreational facilities such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based amenities and mountain access routes throughout Wicklow. This investment drives economic and health benefits for our communities while protecting our natural landscape and habitats. We are pleased to see funding awarded to projects focusing on accessibility for outdoor recreation activities.”