Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a major €15 million fund to support outdoor adventure projects.
The 2022 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will see the development of natural amenities such as our mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, walkways, greenways and blueways.
The Scheme, which has seen its funding increased by Minister Humphreys, will place a particular focus on developing adventure tourism in Rural Ireland. It will support activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling. This announcement will build on the Government’s commitment under “Our Rural Future” to continuing the investment in infrastructure that caters for the growth in both local and international outdoor adventure tourism. The projects that will be supported under ORIS are designed to benefit the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they are located.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider opportunities to develop recreational amenities and increase public access and enjoyment of rural Ireland’s mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, walkways, greenways and blueways and should be accessible as possible for people with disabilities and older people.
The funding is aimed at supporting outdoor recreation tourism, a growing tourism sector internationally, which has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages as well as improving the health and well-being of rural communities.
Laois County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for projects under the following measures;
- Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing – grant up to €30,000
- Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development – grant up to €200,000
As set out in the scheme details, projects with evidence of strong community engagement will be prioritised.
As in previous years, the scheme does not include sporting activities which take place in the countryside on confined courses or pitches specifically designed and constructed for those events e.g., golf, football, show jumping etc.
Please contact Ann Marie Maher, Sport & Leisure Officer, Laois County Council to discuss potential projects for submission to this scheme as early as possible: ammaher@laoiscoco.ie 057 864058 or 087 6184404
All expressions of interest must be submitted to sports@laoiscoco.ie by 4.30 p.m. on Monday 28th March 2022 to allow enough time for applications to be prepared and finalised.
