Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the stark lack of playground and congregation facilities for older children and teenagers is causing a phenomenon whereby older children are using facilities designed for younger children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6062/06]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 198: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the initiatives in place to provide playground facilities to older children who cannot be accommodated in facilities designed for primary school aged children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6063/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.

I have no ministerial function in regard to the direct provision of play facilities for children and teenagers. As the Deputy may be aware, the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children is currently developing a recreation policy for young people aged 12 to 18 in conjunction with a number of Government Departments and agencies directly involved in the provision of recreation facilities and programmes for young people. The policy will be available in 2006.

The objectives of the policy are to give young people a voice in the design and implementation of recreation policies and facilities; promote structured recreation for young people and examine ways to motivate them to be involved; ensure that the recreation needs of young people are met through the development of youth friendly and safe facilities and environments; maximise the range of recreational opportunities available for young people who are marginalised, disadvantaged or who have a disability; promote relevant qualifications/standards in the provision of recreation activities; develop a partnership approach in developing and funding recreational opportunities across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors; and improve information on, evaluation and monitoring of recreational provision for young people in Ireland. It is intended that the issue of appropriate outdoor facilities for teenagers will be dealt with in the policy.