To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what work his Department has done in rural communities to make walking or running alone safer.

My department provides, supports and promotes the enhancement of safe off-road access to green and blue spaces through DAERA managed sites, funding to others and the development and delivery of legislation, policy and strategy.

My department provides grant aid, through TRPSI and Environment Fund grant programmes, to councils and not-for-profit organisations to increase the provision of outdoor recreation facilities across Northern Ireland. These grants include opportunities for development of off-road walking routes, for improvements of outdoor recreation facilities, and for the provision of infrastructure to enhance accessibility for all.

My department promotes and supports the safe and sustainable use of our outdoor spaces through a variety of our own and stakeholder media channels and awareness campaigns.

In addition as part of the Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland my department is currently conducting a consultation exercise on “The Provision of Access for Outdoor Recreation in Northern Ireland”. We have recently completed a Stage 1 consultation with key stakeholders and following consideration of responses, we intend issuing a public consultation (Stage 2) later this year to invite further views.