FARMERS HAVE been expressing major interest in a new walks scheme which will see them paid up to €2,900 a year for maintaining paths for walkers, according to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Éamon Ó Cuív was launching the scheme yesterday, which will be piloted on the Sheepshead Way, west Cork; Bluestack Way, Donegal; Suck Valley Way, Roscommon; and the Éamonn a Chnoic Loop walk in Tipperary.
Mr Ó Cuív said landowners would keep the walks to an agreed standard for a five-year period.
When the scheme is established in the four chosen areas, a further eight routes would be announced later in the year, he added.
"The participant will have a work plan that he/she has agreed with their local leader company and the local walking route committee and that has been approved by the National Trails Office," the minister said.
Farmers would be paid €14.50 an hour and could earn between €725 and €2,900 per annum for maintaining the walks or have them maintained through the rural social scheme, he said.
Mr Ó Cuív said walkers would be insured, adding that farmers faced a negligible risk of being sued by walkers. Their rights would not be diminished by the scheme, which would be voluntary.
The Minister said that contrary to common belief, there was a great deal of interest in the new scheme, which was described by the Irish Farmers' Association as a "major breakthrough" for which €4 million had been set aside this year.
Mr Ó Cuív said he was considering a partnership with Coillte to improve facilities and provide national recreation areas and wilderness-based recreation.