Landowners on the Beara way and Sheep’s Head way in west Cork are among farmers who will benefit from a decision by the Department of Rural and Community Development to approve an 8% increase in payments for the Walks Scheme.

About 1,900 farmers nationally receive this payment for the maintenance of walking trails that cross their land.

Some 600 farmers in west Cork will benefit from the new higher payments

Farmers are paid an hourly rate for maintenance of the trail. The rate of payment was cut in 2014 from €14.50/hour to €12.40/hour. Implementing the increase would see this rise to €13.50/hour.

Some 600 farmers in west Cork will benefit from the new higher payments.

Patricia Bevan, rural recreation officer, West Cork Development Partnership, said: “The Department has doubled the budget and this will increase the payment to landowners on the Beara and Sheep’s Head ways. The hope is they will also bring other farmers on board such as those on the Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí trail.”