Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

10. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to consider establishing a dedicated grant scheme for the maintenance and upgrading of community playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49654/23]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Across Mayo, one prevalent issue concerning our town playgrounds is their maintenance. Over time, after several years of use, the equipment and surfaces within many playgrounds deteriorates and sometimes poses safety hazards. As a young father, I spend much time in playgrounds with my two-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old. A dedicated grant scheme would ensure that our playgrounds are consistently maintained to the highest standard. I ask the Minister to consider such a grant scheme.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland and applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by the Department. The Department's funding for playgrounds is provided primarily through the CLÁR programme. However, funding is also available under the town and village renewal scheme, the LEADER programme and the community enhancement programme.

The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures, including investment in playgrounds. This includes Keel community playground in Mayo, which was allocated €50,000 for upgrade works in 2021. The Department's town and village renewal scheme also provides funding avenues, with playground facilities often forming part of wider amenity projects put forward for funding.

Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including the rural infrastructure and social inclusion theme. Funding for playgrounds may be available under this theme. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant local action group to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.

The Department already provides significant funding towards the establishment and improvement of playgrounds throughout the country and we intend to continue to do so. These are vital community spaces for children and parents, and the Department has the schemes and funding in place to support their continued development. There are a number of schemes under which playgrounds should be able to avail of funding. They can avail of the town and village scheme if they are not in CLÁR areas. For those in CLÁR areas up to €50,000 is available through this fund.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. In my county there is a challenge with maintaining our playgrounds. Certainly the local authority responds differently to the schemes in place. We have difficulty with the upkeep. We have had an influx of playgrounds in recent years. Mayo has one of the highest number of playgrounds in the country, which is good news, but it is very important that the community is supported in maintaining a sense of pride to ensure it can draw visitors and tourists.

Some local communities come to us looking for support for their playgrounds. It is difficult at times to allocate funding from an annual scheme. It is widely recognised that families spend a lot of time in playgrounds. There are added benefits to this with regard to physical well-being and physical activity. While I understand schemes are in place, local authorities need to be better informed and instructed in how to access the funding.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dillon and point taken. The Department's approach to funding schemes allowed local communities to identify the types of projects of most benefit to them and to seek support for their development. This is not always with regard to new playgrounds. As Deputy Dillon said, sometimes we need to upgrade playgrounds. I have to say when I was first Minister with responsibility for rural affairs back in 2016 I saw an application coming in from Cavan County Council for an adult playground in Drumgoon. I wondered what they were doing but on further examination I discovered it was exercise equipment for older people. There you go. There are all sorts of playgrounds out there and they are all to benefit the community. That is what it is about at the end of the day.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Mayo County Council has in the past made applications for funding but if we look at the number of playgrounds that need refurbishment and enhancements, I suggest that we should have a dedicated programme in place that would not only be designed to maintain inclusive and accessible equipment for children of all abilities but would also ensure that local authorities know the places in most need of playgrounds and could submit applications on their behalf. Funding is difficult for some local authorities to access and it is difficult for communities to make applications. Perhaps some sort of information campaign in this regard, to inform communities on how better to access this funding, would be very useful.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dillon. There is the community enhancement programme, of course. This provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities, including playgrounds in disadvantaged areas. Funding is allocated by the Department to each local authority. The local community development committee, with support from the local authority, administers the funding.

We also have the community recognition fund. In May the Department approved €50 million for more than 880 projects. This fund is specifically targeted at projects located in communities and identified by communities, and in towns and villages hosting beneficiary temporary protection and-or international protection applicants.

There are many funds out there and Mayo County Council needs to get its applications in. As I said to a boy one time when he asked me how come he got no money, I asked him whether he had put in an application and when he said he had not I said if you do not put in an application you do not get money. That is it. Sin é.