Neilie O’Leary, IFA Hill Committee Chairman has welcomed the commencement of payments to over 300 farmers who have established walking trails under the New Walks Scheme.

Mr O’Leary says the 50% up front payment is currently been made to farmers on 4 walks - the Sheep’s Head Way in West Cork, Blue Stack Way in Donegal, the Suck Valley Way in Roscommon and Galway, and the Eamon A Chnoic Loop in Tipperary.

Under the scheme farmers are paid for the establishment and maintenance of walking trails, and payments are up to a maximum of €2,900 per annum under a 5 year agreement. The walks are been put in place by Rural Recreation Officers in each of the outlined areas.

“It is incumbent on the Recreation Officers to ensure that the maximum payment applies to farmers to recognise the labour input in maintaining the walks” said Mr O’Leary.

Mr O’Leary said the scheme will be available to 11 National Waymarked Ways and 1 looped walking route in 2008. This must be followed by additional walks as the interest and potential in the scheme is very significant.

Mr O’Leary said the new Leader Companies had a large role to play in ensuring that the establishment of walks is part of their local action plans, which are currently being submitted for approval.

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