To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the funding allocated by his Department to increase access to active recreation activities for people with a disability.

DAERA contributes funding of approximately £300,000 per annum to the Access and Inclusion Programme which is delivered by the Department for Communities, in partnership with DAERA, Public Health Agency (PHA) and local councils.

The key aim of the Programme is to promote a more inclusive society by improving accessibility at existing arts, cultural and active recreation venues for people with disabilities. The Programme has been in operation since 2018/19 and during that time has supported 171 projects across all 11 local Council areas with a total value of almost £3.5m.

The LEADER programme (priority 6 of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020) which is delivered by Local Action Groups in each of the Councils (excluding Belfast) provides financial support to projects that are identified by rural communities through a bottom up approach. Under the Basic Services Scheme and Village Renewal Scheme over £9.6m has been awarded by LAGs for 56 projects across Northern Ireland that focus on walking routes, play parks and open spaces that are all accessible and will increase the provision for those with a disability to engage in active recreation.

You may be aware that my officials have developed a Rural Policy Framework which will set out the strategic priorities for any successor to the LEADER programme. I launched the consultation on the Framework on the 7 July and I welcome all stakeholder engagement so that we have a Rural Policy Framework that aims to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active.

My Department also promotes angling as a recreational activity and a sport to increase participation in angling. Inland Fisheries provides concessionary licences and permits to anglers aged over 60 years and those with disabilities, at a significant saving compared to the full cost.

In addition, the DAERA Community Outreach Angling Events Fund has an annual budget of £25k to encourage new participants to partake in angling. This is particularly targeted at under-represented groups which includes disability organisations. From 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 there were over 40 groups funded and full season complimentary fishing licences and permits were issued to over 600 male and 350 female participants in those funded events. Complimentary licences and permits are also issued to a range of disability groups.

Inland Fisheries have an annual target to deliver improvements to 2 sites of the Public Angling Estate (PAE), for improved accessibility under a disability access remit of work. Officials regularly engage with councils, local community, charities and disability groups to discuss upgrades and improvements to infrastructure to improve accessibility for disabled anglers.

Furthermore, the Loughs Agency has contributed £25k per annum to fund disabled access fishing stands and a disabled access boat. DAERA has not provided any additional funding for these facilities as we have provided this through our core funds.

The Natural Environment Division (NED) do not have any specific money allocated it to increase access to active recreation activities for people with a disability. However there are a number of actions undertaken within NED that provide recreation benefits for people with a disability including:

Supporting the creation of all ability access to the natural environment through funding to not for profit organisations via the Environment Fund grant scheme.

NIEA country parks and nature reserves continue to enhance pathways and infrastructure in a number of areas, which could be considered to be inclusively beneficial to less able bodied persons, which would include people with a disability.