Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
324. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure all playgrounds have accessible features for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/21]
View answerMy Department operates a scheme, the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people, and for the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and incorporation of natural play elements.
There was strong demand for funding under this scheme in 2021; with some 52 projects being approved for funding across (all) 31 Local Authorities. Owing to the strong demand for funding on this scheme, my officials employed a weighted scoring system as part of the evaluation process.
One of the key criteria that is measured and scored during this process is Accessibility & Inclusivity; under this criteria we require Local Authorities to indicate how improvements to facilities and equipment for which funding is sought will:
- improve access/inclusivity to the park/facility for children and young people with additional needs
- and provide access/inclusivity to the play equipment for all children
In order for a project to qualify for funding under this scheme, a minimum threshold must be reached on each of the (5) funding criteria (therefore if no consideration is given towards accessibility/inclusivity, the project does not qualify for funding).
In addition to ensuring all projects take account of accessibility in their project applications, having accessibility included as a funding criteria encourages Local Authorities to include projects for consideration that are primarily geared towards accessibility/inclusivity. This year for example, we approved funding for a number of projects to incorporate basket swing and wheelchair accessible swings into existing playgrounds.
The Play and Recreation scheme, as noted above, is operated via Local Authorities and this year’s scheme was opened to applications from Local Authorities on April 1, with a closing date of April 22. It should be noted the Play and Recreation fund, and the criteria applied for accessing funding, represents my Department’s contribution to the funding of new and refurbished play and recreation facilities accessible for all children and young people. Local Authorities are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all of their investment in this area provides facilities that are accessible to all children and young people in their respective communities.
