Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
44. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional funding provided by his Department to local authorities to help them to provide facilities for an outdoor summer. [33920/21]
View answerI recently announced the provision of just over €4m for local authorities to assist them in their plans for the facilitation of an outdoor summer in the context of the safe reopening of the economy and society in line with the Government’s “Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead” plan.
Local Authorities are best placed to determine the type of facilities that are most appropriate to support a safe outdoor summer and where they are most needed. This scheme is not intended to be overly prescriptive and the funding may be used for the provision and maintenance of public amenities and signage that will facilitate outdoor activities and leisure in compliance with public health guidelines at sites around the country. These sites could include parks, beaches, greenways, pedestrianised streets or any other popular visitor sites in a local authority area.
The announcement of this funding comes on top of other allocations to the sector to facilitate an outdoor summer announced by Mr. Eamonn Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. These allocations include €5m for improving litter bin infrastructure and €13m to facilitate outdoor dining.
