Nearly 2,800 landowner participants currently in Walks Scheme
There are currently 2,796 landowner participants in the Walks Scheme, according to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 and is aimed at farmers, private landowners, landholders, and land users.
The scheme facilitates the development and maintenance of key walking trails by private landholders.
It is administered by local development companies that deliver the scheme in their area on behalf of the department.
Payments
Landowner participants are paid twice yearly to cover the periods January-June and July-December, the department told Agriland.
"Payments are issued six months in advance," a spokesperson said.
"The number of working hours a participant is paid is based on an agreed workplan.
"The hourly rate paid is the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine’s (TAMS) own labour rate of €16.74 per hour."
The DAFM own labour rate increased in September 2025.
"As participants are paid in advance and had already received payment up to the end of December 2025, this increase was reflected in the payment for January to June 2026," the Department of Rural and Community Development said.
Approved trails
There are currently 164 trails approved to participate in the Walks Scheme.
"Participation is limited to private landowners associated with these approved trails," the department explained.
"The Walks Scheme has expanded significantly in recent years and is currently in phase four of its expansion following an expression of interest process.
"Bringing a newly approved trail fully onto the scheme can take time, as all landowners must be identified, individual work plans agreed in advance of joining the scheme and payments commencing."
Walks Scheme contracts
The department added that the "immediate priority is to bring all of the landowners on the recently approved trails on to the scheme" before a further expansion in the number of trails is considered.
The contract term for participants is five years and is renewable at the end of each term, the department said.
A new contract is issued every five years upon renewal.
A participant may withdraw from the scheme by providing six months’ written notice.
A review of the scheme was completed in July 2021.
Growth in the scheme
In May 2025, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary announced further investment in walking trails and expansion of the Walks Scheme.
He said that in Ireland, we are "very fortunate to have wonderful walking trails all across the country, and to have generous landowners who are willing to allow the public access to trails that cross their lands".
In 2019, there were 40 trails in the scheme.
