Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 was launched in November. The Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
The delivery of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors requires a joined-up and cohesive approach to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure d the management of outdoor recreation activity at both a national and county level.
Action 1.12 of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors specifically calls for the development of a County Outdoor Recreation Plan. As referenced on Page 8 of the Strategy under the Strategic Objective: Leadership the County Outdoor Recreation Plan should be developed through a collaborative process:
“At county level, our ambition is to achieve a more planned and coordinated approach
between the many stakeholders, with the introduction of a County Outdoor Recreation Committee and the development of an Outdoor Recreation Plan for each county. This will ensure that county needs are prioritised, as well as being aligned with the national strategy. This new structure will be best placed to ensure that value for money is achieved from the significant levels of public investment in outdoor recreation. In addition, it is our ambition to ensure that available funding and resources are better aligned with national and county priorities.”
Guidance for the development of the County Outdoor Recreation Plans is now being finalised and we expect to publish these by the end of the month.
A webinar will be hosted on the development of County Outdoor Recreation Plans on Thursday 6th July, 10am-12pm. Please register at the following link to attend https://irlgov.webex.com/weblink/register/rada2eec8eae7b4a07199944842a23837