Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2018
28. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to make funding available to individual electoral areas for the purposes of playground provision instead of general allocation to local authorities that may overlook areas yet to secure funding for such investment. [9005/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DCYA capital grant funding scheme for play and recreation provides capital funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The total amount of funding made available each year is €250,000. A maximum grant of €20,000 is allocated to each Local Authority through the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). The LAPRN members are invited to apply for funding for projects which provide:
- New and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities. New and innovative projects can include new facilities, equipment, designs and / or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces.
- Refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities.
Under the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, 25 awards were made in 2017. The largest amount awarded was for €15,000 and the lowest amount was €5,000.
The LAPRN group was established in 2012 to introduce a more coordinated and interagency approach to achieving the main goals of the play and recreation policies at both national and local level. The members of the group are key Local Authority managers and staff responsible for the local delivery of play and recreation services in communities across the country. The Department is currently working with the LAPRN group to agree priorities for the funding allocation for the current year.
