Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary has launched the 2026-2027 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

€20 million is available for investment.

The ORIS provides funding for the development and maintenance of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas and will support hundreds of outdoor recreation projects nationwide.

Economic benefit

Now in its tenth year, the scheme has to date invested over €150 million in over 2,000 recreation projects at mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, blue-ways, bogs, forest walks and upland areas.

Minister Calleary said: “The projects we have delivered in the last 10 years have not only supported our physical and mental wellbeing, but they have also been a driver of economic benefit in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

“Through ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy, my department is working to transform the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland."

Grants

Funding under the 2026-2027 ORIS will provide support across three main measures with funding of up to €40,000 for small scale repairs, maintenance, promotion and marketing under measure one.

Under measure two, grant amounts of up to €200,000 are available for medium scale repair/maintenance/upgrade and new trail/amenity development.

Grants of up to €500,000 are available in measure three for strategic large-scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development.

In addition, an enhanced project development measure will support lead applicants in delivering a pipeline of shovel ready projects for future funding rounds.

Applications are invited from local authorities, local development companies and state bodies, in consultation with local communities and aligning with emerging project recommendations from new county outdoor recreation plans that are being developed across the country.

Flexibility

Minister Calleary added: "I am pleased to be providing greater flexibility to local authorities and local development companies to fund the pre-development work required for new projects, including for equestrian trails, and also to be permitting an additional project application from one Gaeltacht or island area in each county as appropriate.

"I have also clarified the role that this scheme can play in undertaking capital maintenance works on existing amenities.

“I look forward to announcing the successful projects under this fund in due course and would encourage groups with an idea for a project to engage with their local authority or local development company who will be happy to support them."