Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2019
834. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding applied for and allocated to Tipperary County Council under the capital grant scheme for play and recreation for 2017 and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30601/19]
View answerThe Capital Grant Funding Scheme in my Department for Play and Recreation was introduced in 2013 to support the development or refurbishment of play and recreation facilities.
€250,000 was provided each year between 2013 and 2018 for new and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities, with a maximum grant allocation of €20,000 per Local Authority. Each Local Authority was required to match funding of the amount requested from my Department.
In 2017, 21 Local Authorities received funding under the Scheme. Tipperary Local Authority applied for €20,000 and was awarded €8,000 for the refurbishment and replacement of the safety surface at Templemore Park Playground.
In 2018, 26 Local Authorities received funding. Tipperary applied for €12,500 and was awarded €7,500. This funding was for the refurbishment of Fair Green Playground, Carrick-on-Suir and the refurbishment of Duneske Playground, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
In 2019, I increased the amount of capital funding available under this scheme from €250,000 to €450,000.
In consultation with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN) we agreed to allocate a maximum of €30,000 per Local Authority for the upgrade and refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities. This includes the provision of new equipment, the development of natural play areas, and the refurbishment of existing play facilities. The Local Authority is required to provide 25% of the funding requested from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the application to be considered.
In 2019 Tipperary Local Authority applied for €28,350 and was awarded €21,262 for the refurbishment/rehabilitation of Three Drives, Carronreddy, Tipperary Town Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). 23 Local Authorities receiving funding.
There is continuous engagement between my Department and the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network to ensure that the Play and Recreation Scheme is highlighted at a local and national level.
