E4m Boost for Coillte to Develop New Infrastructure Projects
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today (Friday, August 1) said €1.4 million of the new funding boost will be earmarked for the "ongoing cost of repairing storm damaged trails".
There were over 100 sites closed because of the damage inflicted by Storm Eowyn earlier this year but 83 of these sites have now reopened with the remaining sites expected to reopen before the end of the year.
Minister Calleary said: 'My department's strategic partnership with Coillte is a hugely important one for the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.
"It is essential to ensuring that Coillte sites are in a position to facilitate millions of visitors each year with high quality trails and facilities.
"Through our current partnership with Coillte, we are providing up to €15 million over 5 years to maintain and develop Coillte's trail network and recreation amenities around the country".
Some of projects that will benefit from the latest rounding of funding include:
Glantenassig, Co. Kerry: Final phase of car park and entrance road improvement works – €120,000;
Final phase of car park and entrance road improvement works – €120,000; Courtown, Co. Wexford: Repair and renew of spike bridge – €35,000,
Repair and renew of spike bridge – €35,000,
Belleek, Co. Mayo: Belleek Woods pond improvement works projects – €50,000;
Belleek Woods pond improvement works projects – €50,000;
Ravensdale, Co. Louth : Replacement of foot bridge – €70,000;
: Replacement of foot bridge – €70,000;
Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny: Access road repair and redress – €55,000.
According to Imelda Hurley, Coillte's chief executive, the funding boost from the government "comes at a critical time".
"Our teams have been working tirelessly to restore access, often in extremely challenging conditions.
"Their phenomenal efforts have ensured that the majority of our recreational forests have now reopened, enabling communities and visitors to once again enjoy the natural beauty of our forests," Hurley said.
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