€85,500 for Tipperary tourism and recreational facilities welcomed

Forest Bathing Walk in Kilkenny at 6pm on September 12 at Jenkinstown Woods

placeholder image — Forest Bathing Walk in Kilkenny at 6pm on September 12 at Jenkinstown Woods

Eighteen projects across Tipperary will benefit from this funding

Tipperary has been granted funding of €85,500 as part of a new five year strategy with Coillte designed to boost rural tourism.

Last Summer the Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh agreed a package of supports for the primary schools in the town including 2 EAL posts, Inclusion in the School’s Excellence Fund, NEPS Literacy and Numeracy Interventions Training and a Family Liaison Teacher. These Interim measures were agreed by the Minister, the 5 Principals and Deputy Michael Lowry who had been negotiating on a package of supports for the schools for a number of months.

Deputy Lowry, pictured above, says that 18 projects across Tipperary will benefit from this funding, which will help enhance outdoor attractions.

"This is important for both physical and mental health. Investing in the outdoors is vitally important for people of all ages," he said.

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said that Coillte is Ireland’s largest forester and also Ireland's largest provider of outdoor recreation space. The Coillte estate includes 260 recreational forests, 12 forest parks, 3,000km of way-marked walking trails and six purpose-built world-class mountain biking facilities.

"Over the last two years we have seen a major increase in the number of people accessing outdoor recreation infrastructure. Coillte is uniquely placed to assist us in meeting that demand to ensure that people can continue to enjoy the unique advantages offered by the Irish countryside," Deputy Lowry said.

He added: "In the past year Coillte has recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers to its Forest Parks and recreation sites. This funding will assist Coillte in Tipperary in the upgrading of facilities to meet the increased demand for access to these amenities," says Deputy Lowry.