Claire Kerrane
Question:284. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will advise on possible funding options for playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11911/23]
View answerWednesday, 8 March 2023
Questions (284)
Written answers
My Department supports playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland to ensure they remain vibrant and sustainable places to live.
The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.
The CLÁR 2022 programme awarded a record €12.2 million in funding supporting 292 projects. Outdoor community recreation facilities, including playgrounds, were eligible for support under the Developing Community Facilities and Amenities Measure (Measure 1) of CLÁR 2022. A list of successful projects is published on my Department’s website (at www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/).
A new round of CLÁR funding in 2023 will be launched in the coming weeks and details of measures to be supported will be set out at that stage.
The Community Recognition Fund 2023 was launched in January. This €50 million fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.
The Fund will support the development of community facilities, including playgrounds, that will be used in the future by all members of the community. Local authorities are in the process of engaging directly with impacted communities with a view to submitting funding proposals to my Department on or before 15th March.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides vital supports to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland. The programme has provided over €43 million in funding for over 17,000 projects since 2018 through small grants for the improvement of facilities.
I was delighted to launch the Community Support Fund with funding of €10 million on 18th November last year. This fund, under the Community Enhancement Programme, is designed to assist community groups with their energy/running costs and will also provide funding for small capital works projects.
The Community Support Fund is being administered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority. Groups should contact their local LCDC for further details on the application process.
The LEADER Programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in 'Our Rural Future'. The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development.
Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including the Social Inclusion Theme in the current LEADER programme or the Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion theme in the 2023-2027 programme. Funding for playgrounds may be available under these themes.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department’s website.