The 2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas. The Scheme is funded under “Our Rural Future”, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, which specifically prioritises the growing outdoor activity tourism sector as part of a long-term vision for a vibrant and sustainable rural Ireland.
The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, launched in November 2022, is set to shaping the strategic direction of outdoor recreation in Ireland. The Strategy aims to increase the number of people active in the outdoors, especially young people and under-represented groups, and to foster a greater understanding of how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
It also aims to protect our landscapes, habitats and built heritage and provides guidance on the process and practices for developing outdoor recreation infrastructure in a sustainable fashion. It is essential that all expressions of interest submitted under ORIS are consistent with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, available to view here.
Projects typically funded by ORIS include walkways, cycleways, blueways, water and cycle trails, bridleways, as well as open water amenities at bogs, rivers and lakes. Water based projects located within rural town/village environs are also eligible.
Projects in relation to activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, showjumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers) are not eligible for funding under ORIS. Please refer to page 17 of the Scheme Outline for a list of ineligible Projects/Costs.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being sought for all Measures as outlined below;
- Project Development Measure: Development Costs for Strategic Large Scale Projects with a maximum grant up to €50,000. A maximum of two EOIs can be shortlisted for onward submission of applications to the Department of Rural and Community Development. EOIs opening on Monday 11 November and closing date for receipt of completed EOIs is 12 noon, Monday 16 December 2024
- Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing with a maximum grant up to €40,000. A maximum of six EOIs can be shortlisted for onward submission of applications to the Department of Rural and Community Development. EOIs opening on Monday 11 November and closing date for receipt of completed EOIs is 12 noon, Monday 16 December 2024
- Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development with a maximum grant up to €200,000. A maximum of three EOIs can be shortlisted for onward submission of applications to the Department of Rural and Community Development. EOIs opening on Monday 18 November and closing date for receipt of completed EOIs is 12 noon, Friday 31 January
- Measure 3: Strategic Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development with a maximum grant up to €500,000. A maximum of one EOI can be shortlisted for onward submission of applications to the Department of Rural and Community Development. EOIs opening on Monday 18 November and closing date for receipt of completed EOIs is 12 noon, Friday 31 January
How to apply
Expressions of interest, for the relevant Measure, can be submitted online at the following link
- Please review the Scheme Outline in full for all information in relation to planning permission, appropriate assessment screening, written consent requirements etc, available to view here.
- In respect of Measures 1, 2 and 3, Planning Permission and Environmental Impact Assessment /Appropriate Assessment Screening (where required) must be in place for an EOI to be considered for shortlisting for onward submission of an application to the Department.
- It is essential that all expressions of interest submitted under ORIS are consistent with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, available to view here.
- Expressions of interest submitted to Limerick City and County Council can only be for proposed projects, in rural areas, that are within the Limerick administrative area, in their entirety.
- All questions on the form must be answered and supporting documentation uploaded where specified.
- Any queries can be directed by email to oris@limerick.ie or by phone to 061-556008
It is also important that EOIs submitted demonstrate adherence to best practice as per the guidelines and toolkits, where relevant to the expression of interest being submitted.
- Trail Development |Sport Ireland, available here
- Blueways Ireland – Blueway Developers Toolkit, available here
- Helping the Hills – Guiding Principles for the Management of Path Erosion in Upland Areas, available here
- The Great Outdoors Resources – Accessibility|Active Disability Ireland, available here
- Leave No Trace Resources, available here
- Fáilte Ireland – Greenway Visitor Experience and Interpretation Toolkit, available here
- Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas, available here
CLOSING DATES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO
