Millions invested in outdoor recreation and greenway projects across Westmeath

More than €21 million has been allocated to outdoor recreation, greenway and rural regeneration projects in Westmeath in recent years, and dozens of schemes are either completed or under way, according to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary.

Responding to a Dáil question on the status of outdoor recreation and greenway projects in Longford and Westmeath, the minister outlined the scale of government investment across a range of funding programmes.

Since 2020, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) has provided almost €2.8 million for 45 projects in Westmeath; 13 projects in progress are worth almost €800,000. The scheme supports the development of walking trails, cycleways, blueways and other outdoor amenities.

Under the CLÁR programme, 10 outdoor recreation projects valued at almost €544,000 have been approved in Westmeath since 2020. Five of those projects remain under construction, representing investment of around €300,000.

The Community Recognition Fund has also delivered support, and Westmeath has received more than €1.9 million for 20 outdoor recreation and greenway projects. Nine of those projects are ongoing, with funding of approximately €786,000.

Further investment has come through the LEADER programme, which has supported locally led recreation initiatives across the county. Six projects with a combined value of more than €283,000 remain to be completed.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has allocated almost €3.6 million to 35 projects in Westmeath since 2020, including €500,000 for the redevelopment of Ballynacargy village square and a new link to the Old Rail Trail Greenway. Three projects worth more than €732,000 are currently progressing.

The minister also highlighted more than €12.8 million provided under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for projects in Kinnegad and Castlepollard, both of which include outdoor recreation elements and are now complete.

Minister Calleary said Westmeath's County Outdoor Recreation Plan is expected to be finalised shortly and will help guide investment priorities over the next five years through the county's Outdoor Recreation Committee.