A further €15 million is set to be invested to enhance external public spaces in towns, villages and cities ahead of the phased reopening of what has been billed as an ‘outdoor summer’.
The money is being provided under the Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund, which will be administered by the National Transport Authority. A circular has been issued to all local authorities with information on how to apply to the programme with allocations to be announced in the coming weeks.
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Fine Gael Galway West TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, said the funding would “create and improve locations for people to walk, cycle, and gather outdoors while practicing social distancing.
'The gradual re-opening of society must be done in “a responsible and measured manner”'
It follows previous announcements of €14 million under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund, and €17 million under Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme.
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The latest investment will be made available to local authorities for the creation of safe outdoor open spaces and amenities for the public, as well as improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure.
Minister Naughton said the measures supported under the scheme, including street pedestrianisation measures, and reallocation of road space to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, “will need to be quickly implemented”. She also cautioned that the gradual re-opening of society must be done in “a responsible and measured manner”.
