Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
744. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the provision of specific funding will be ensured to support the development and maintenance of accessible play groups in towns and villages to enable children play and interact with their peers in an outdoor setting. [12666/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers an annual Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation which provides for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and / or the incorporation of natural play spaces. The 2020 scheme launched on 20th February of this year and was open to all 31 Local Authorities to apply.
The following criteria applied to funding under the DCYA Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation 2020:
- All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them i.e. outside of school hours
- All facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people with special needs
- All facilities and equipment funded must be youth-friendly and safe
- All projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence, or a commitment to providing evidence, that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
- Evidence of ability to complete the project / expenditure within the timeframe.
Local Authorities were also required to provide confirmation that No Smoking signage will be displayed in play spaces and facilities.
Each local authority could make 1 application for a maximum of 3 projects and this year 27 Local Authorities applied for funding in respect of 49 individual projects.
Of the 49 project applications , 46 were approved for funding.
My Department has made Capital Grant funding available for the development of playgrounds since its establishment in 2011, and while I cannot commit at this time, it is my hope that this funding will be available to Local Authorities in 2021.
