Update on proposed water activity centre to be located in Carlow Town Park

At a Dáil Éireann Debate on Tuesday 26th September, local Carlow-Kilkenny TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, what support her Department is providing for the proposed Water Hub in Carlow.

Back in October 2022, An Bord Pleanála gave the green light for a new water activity centre at Carlow Town Park.

Minister Humphreys stated that "The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by the Rural and Community Development Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways and bridleways throughout rural Ireland."

"No application for the proposed water activity hub in Carlow has been received to date under ORIS."

"I understand, however, that it is the intention of Carlow local authority to apply for Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding for the proposed water activity hub in Carlow Town Park once that programme is opened for applications. This scheme falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin."