Significant progress has been made since the publication of "Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy" in increasing the availability and quality of playgrounds for children. Two grant schemes were put in place in 2004 as a direct result of the publication of the policy to provide for increased play provision for children, as follows. The local authority playground grants scheme, launched in 2004, was jointly administered by the National Children's Office, NCO, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and provided up to 50% funding for the development of new, or renovation of existing, playgrounds. A total of just over €2 million was allocated by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the county and city councils under the scheme. The 32 new or refurbished playgrounds being developed under this scheme represent a total investment of approximately €4,200,000 and the locations are set out in Appendix 1.
The scheme was continued in 2005 with some changes. On this occasion the scheme was wholly administered by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Each local authority was allocated a grant of €60,000 to meet the cost of purchase and delivery of playground equipment which could be spent on one or more facilities. The total expenditure under this scheme in 2005 is €2,040,000 and the locations are set out in Appendix 2.
The RAPID playground grants scheme was also launched in 2004. Funding of €3 million —€1.5 million from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and €1.5 million from the Department of Health and Children — was provided to support the development of new or refurbishment of existing playgrounds in RAPID areas. Each Strand I RAPID area received a total allocation of €72,000 and each Strand II RAPID area received a total allocation of €60,000. The local authority in consultation with the relevant area implementation team selected the projects to be supported. A total of 22 playgrounds have been built, to date, in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country, at the locations set out in Appendix 3. This scheme was also continued in 2005 with RAPID areas again receiving grants totalling €3 million.
It was a condition of both schemes outlined above, drawn up in consultation with the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, that insurance and maintenance costs of playgrounds built under the scheme would be met by the local authority.
While playgrounds are usually aimed at pre-school and primary school children, some of the playgrounds funded under the schemes were for older children, particularly in the large Dublin areas. The most recent figures available to the NCO suggest that a total of 43 playgrounds have been completed and are now open to the public since the publication of the play policy. It should be noted that in recent years, many local authorities have been putting additional investment into play facilities over and above the matching funding required in the scheme outlined above, thus further increasing the numbers of playgrounds.
While the NCO, which is fully funded by my Department, has an overall role in supporting implementation of the national play policy, individual Departments retain responsibility for implementation of actions falling within their remit. In the context of playgrounds, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility in relation to the provision of playgrounds.
APPENDIX 1
|
Grants allocated under the 2004 Local Authority Playground Grants Scheme by location
|
|
Local Authority
|
Location of Playground
|
Amount Approved
|
|
|
€
|
|
Carlow County Council
|
Leighlinbridge*
|
40,000
|
|
Cavan County Council
|
Ballyjamesduff*
|
50,000
|
|
Clare County Council
|
Cloughleigh, Ennis*
|
50,000
|
|
Cork City Council
|
Loughmahon Park
|
70,000
|
|
Cork County Council
|
Charleville*
|
42,000
|
|
Cork County Council
|
Ballincollig*
|
72,000
|
|
Donegal County Council
|
Donegal Town*
|
50,000
|
|
Dublin City Council
|
Johnstown Park*
|
88,000
|
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
|
Cabinteely*
|
84,000
|
|
Fingal County Council
|
Millennium Park, Blanchardstown
|
140,000
|
|
Galway City Council
|
Castlepark
|
64,000
|
|
Galway County Council
|
Loughrea
|
100,000
|
|
Kerry County Council
|
Ballybunion
|
80,000
|
|
Kildare County Council
|
Kildare Town
|
72,000
|
|
Kilkenny County Council
|
Callan
|
70,000
|
|
Laois County Council
|
Portarlington*
|
65,000
|
|
Leitrim County Council
|
Mohill*
|
41,000
|
|
Limerick City Council
|
Shelbourne Park
|
89,000
|
|
Longford County Council
|
Granard
|
49,000
|
|
Louth County Council
|
Dundalk
|
72,000
|
|
Mayo County Council
|
Ballyhaunis*
|
60,000
|
|
Meath County Council
|
Athboy*
|
50,000
|
|
Monaghan County Council
|
Newbliss Village*
|
17,000
|
|
Offaly County Council
|
Tullamore*
|
70,000
|
|
Roscommon County Council
|
Loughnaneane Park*
|
90,000
|
|
Sligo County Council
|
Dramore West*
|
54,000
|
|
South Dublin County Council
|
Tymon Park
|
115,000
|
|
Tipperary (NR) County Council
|
Loughtagalla, Thurles*
|
47,000
|
|
Tipperary (SR) County Council
|
Fair Green, Carrick-on-Suir*
|
63,000
|
|
Waterford City Council
|
Williamstown
|
80,000
|
|
Waterford County Council
|
Tallow*
|
40,000
|
|
Westmeath County Council
|
Kinnegad
|
40,000
|
|
Wexford County Council
|
Enniscorthy*
|
45,000
|
|
Wicklow County Council
|
Kilmacanogue*
|
57,000
|
|
Total:
|
2,074,000
|
* Confirmed by city/county council as completed and open to the public.
APPENDIX 2
|
Grants allocated under the 2005 Local Authority Playground Grants Scheme by location
|
|
Local Authority
|
Location of Playground
|
Amount Approved
|
|
|
€
|
|
Carlow County Council
|
(a) Hacketstown, (b) Borris
|
60,000
|
|
Cavan County Council
|
(a) Kilnalack, (b) Ballinagh
|
60,000
|
|
Clare County Council
|
(a) Ballyvaughan, (b) Lildysart Village
|
60,000
|
|
Cork County Council
|
(a) Passage West, (b) Whitegate/Aghada
|
60,000
|
|
Donegal County Council
|
(a) Stranolar, (b) Milford
|
60,000
|
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
|
(a) Loreto, (b) Kilbogget, (c) Sallynoggin
|
60,000
|
|
Fingal County Council
|
(a) Fortlawn Community Centre
|
60,000
|
|
Galway County Council
|
(a) Clifden
|
60,000
|
|
Kerry County Council
|
(a) Caherciveen, (b) Waterville
|
60,000
|
|
Kildare County Council
|
(a) Clane, (b) Monasterevin, (c) Kilcullen
|
60,000
|
|
Kilkenny County Council
|
(a) Fairgreen, Callan
|
60,000
|
|
Laois County Council
|
(a) Mountmellick, (b) Abbeyleix, (c) Mountrath
|
60,000
|
|
Leitrim County Council
|
(a) Manorhamilton
|
60,000
|
|
Limerick County Council
|
(a) Newcastle West, (b) Abbeyfeale
|
60,000
|
|
Longford County Council
|
(a) Ballymahon, (b) Lanesboro
|
60,000
|
|
Louth County Council
|
(a) Callystown, Clogherhead
|
60,000
|
|
Mayo County Council
|
(a) McMahon Pk, Claremorris
|
60,000
|
|
Meath County Council
|
(a) Dunshaughlin Village
|
60,000
|
|
Monaghan County Council
|
(a) Carrickmacross, (b) Castleblayney
|
60,000
|
|
Offaly County Council
|
(a) Wilmer Rd, Birr
|
60,000
|
|
Roscommon County Council
|
(a) Boyle, (b) Ballaghadereen
|
60,000
|
|
Sligo County Council
|
(a) Riverstown, (b) Tubbercurry
|
60,000
|
|
South Dublin County Council
|
(a) Corkagh Pk, Clondalkin
|
60,000
|
|
Tipperary North County Council
|
(a) St. Paul’s, Nenagh
|
60,000
|
|
Tipp (South) County Council
|
(a) Main Street, Clogheen
|
60,000
|
|
Waterford County Council
|
(a) Lismore, (b) Kilmacthomas, (c) Dunmore East
|
60,000
|
|
Westmeath County Council
|
(a) Regional Sports Centre, Athlone
|
60,000
|
|
Wexford County Council
|
(a) Davidstown, Enniscorthy
|
60,000
|
|
Wicklow County Council
|
(a) Blessington, (b) Newcastle, (c) Kilcoole
|
60,000
|
|
Cork City
|
(a) Meelick Park
|
60,000
|
|
Dublin City Council
|
(a) Ringsend
|
60,000
|
|
Galway City
|
(a) Ard na Choiste, Castlegar, (b) Bth na Choiste, (c) Castlegar
|
60,000
|
|
Limerick City
|
(a) Peoples Park
|
60,000
|
|
Waterford City
|
(a) Butler Comm Cnt, (b) St. John’s Park
|
60,000
|
|
Total
|
2,040,000
|
APPENDIX 3
|
Grants allocated under the RAPID Playground Grants Scheme by location
|
|
RAPID — STRAND 1
|
|
Area
|
Dept. CRGA
|
Dept. Health & Children
|
|
€
|
€
|
|
Dublin City Council
|
|
|
|
Dublin South West Inner City (Canals & Kimmage/Crumlin)
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin South Inner City *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin North West Inner City *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin North East Inner City*
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin South East Inner City *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Finglas
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin Northside (Darndale/Belcamp)
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dublin Ballymun
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Fingal County Council
|
|
|
|
Blanchardstown
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
South Dublin County Council
|
|
|
|
Tallaght — Killinarden
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Tallaght — Fettercairn
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Tallaght — Jobstown
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Clondalkin
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
|
|
|
|
Dún Laoghaire
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Wicklow County Council
|
|
|
|
Bray
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Louth County Council
|
|
|
|
Dundalk *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Drogheda *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Cork City Council
|
|
|
|
Knocknaheeney/Churchfield
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Fairhill/Gurranebraher/Farranree
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Togher/Mahon
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Limerick City Council
|
|
|
|
Ballynanty/Kileely
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Kings Island *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
South Limerick City *
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
|
Waterford City Council
|
|
|
|
Waterford
|
36,000
|
36,000
|
RAPID — STRAND 2
|
Area
|
Dept. CRGA
|
Dept. Health & Children
|
|
€
|
€
|
|
Westmeath County Council
|
|
|
|
Athlone
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Kildare County Council
|
|
|
|
Athy
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Galway County Council
|
|
|
|
Ballinasloe*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Tuam
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Cavan County Council
|
|
|
|
Cavan*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
South Tipperary County Council
|
|
|
|
Carrick-on-Suir*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Clonmel *
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Tipperary*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Carlow County Council
|
|
|
|
Carlow
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Clare County Council
|
|
|
|
Ennis*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Galway City Council
|
|
|
|
Galway
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Kilkenny County Council
|
|
|
|
Kilkenny*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Longford County Council
|
|
|
|
Longford
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Cork County Council
|
|
|
|
Mallow*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Youghal*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Meath County Council
|
|
|
|
Navan*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Wexford County Council
|
|
|
|
New Ross*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Wexford*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Sligo County Council
|
|
|
|
Sligo*
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
|
Kerry County Council
|
|
|
|
Tralee *
|
30,000
|
30,000
|
Total funding approved for playgrounds in RAPID designated areas: €3,000,000 in 2004 and €3,000,000 in 2005.
* 2004 playground projects completed.
