John McGuinness
Ceist:16. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to revise and update the 2004 National Play Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46726/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 October 2012
Ceisteanna (16)
Freagraí scríofa
The development of play and recreation policy is an important objective for my Department because of the positive social and developmental impact of play in the lives of children and young people and its significance in promoting active healthy lifestyles. As the Deputy is aware Ready, Steady, Play: A National Play Policy, published in 2004, provides a framework for the development of public play facilities in Ireland with the overall aim of ensuring that children have access to a range of quality play opportunities to enrich their childhood. The policy provides a framework for future development of play and looks at a range of issues, including:
- Guiding principles;
- A partnership approach between the statutory, community, voluntary and private sectors;
- Developing infrastructures;
- Safety and public liability insurance; and
- Funding arrangements.
Since the publication of the Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy in 2004, over €28 million of Government funding has been expended on improving play infrastructure. According to the National Play Policy, there were 168 playgrounds in the country in 2004 under the management of Local Authorities. Today there are an estimated 900 playgrounds in the country. Most of these are managed by Local Authorities. Many Local Authorities have developed world class recreational facilities and integrated play plans benefiting thousands of children and their families. My Department’s role is to encourage innovation and a ‘joined up’ approach to the development and use of the extensive range of facilities which are now available throughout the country.
I established the first ever National Local Authority Play and Recreation network (LAPRN) in February 2012. This brought together for the first time key personnel responsible for implementation of play and recreation policy in local communities across the country. The group has met to date on three occasions. Early achievements are the successful branding and expansion of national play day and national recreation week events as well as improved coordination between local authorities and improved training and networking to increase staff expertise and information sharing. The group is liasing with key stakeholders with a view to forming a core advisory resource to my Department on the coordination of play and recreation policy.