Tourism projects in Laois are to receive €51,000 in addition to the €1 million recently announced for the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike trail project.
Laois/Offaly TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, has welcomed the allocation of €51,000 for rural recreation projects in County Laois.
“This is good news for the county. In addition to the €1 million funding allocated for the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail, Laois has been allocated €51,000 for rural recreation projects, which is extremely welcome and will help to boost tourism here in County Laois and in the surrounding region.
“This funding is part of the Outdoor Infrastructure Scheme, announced by my colleague Michael Ring, T.D Minister for Rural and Community Development.
“The Scheme is designed to maintain and improve our outdoor recreational infrastructure including for example our greenways, blueways and walking trails.
Laois projects receiving grants include New access route to Oughaval Wood Stradbally €7,536, Blueway 7k walk in Ballacolla €4,957, The Durrow Leafy Loop €5,999, proposed Mountrath Sli na Slainte walking route €9,843, Woodenbridge Blueway 10K Cycle €4,957, Binninea Loop €4,578, Slieve Bloom Way (Glenbarrow) €7,990 and Slieve Bloom Way (Laois) €6,000, he confirmed.
Crucial
“Recreational tourism is growing year on year and so it is crucial we continue to improve facilities and encourage more visitors. Figures from Fáilte Ireland show that the hiking and cycling tourism markets are worth approximately €1.2 billion to the Irish economy.
“Aside from the obvious tourism benefits, it’s also hugely important that we maintain and develop our outdoor infrastructure to encourage everyone to keep fit and live a healthy active lifestyle,” Minister Flanagan said.
The announcement was welcomed by his Fine Gael colleague, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.
“Eighty per cent of each project is funded by the Government grant, with Laois County Council making up the difference,” she confirmed.
Minister Ring also confirmed that there will be further announcements under the scheme in autumn.
SEE ALSO – €1 million in funding has been announced for Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike trail
