Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes €20 million Investment in our Great Outdoors from his Department.

• Major Fund to develop our upland areas, lakes, rivers, beaches, blueways, walking trails and forest walks

• Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to provide a range of funding opportunities, up to a maximum value of €500,000

• Focus on supporting outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paragliding and kite-surfing

Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes the announcement of a major €20 million fund from his Department of Rural and Community Development which will support hundreds of outdoor recreation projects across the country.

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 our natural amenities such as our 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.

Welcoming the scheme, Joe O’Brien TD said:

“It is great to see the 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme launched by my Department today.

“Over €129 million has been provided since 2016 to support over 1,770 projects. The announcement today will add to this and projects across Fingal will benefit hugely from this funding.

Full details of the Outdoor Recreation Scheme are available here.

Today’s announcement 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. The Minister also today published an update on the delivery of the strategy which is available Here.