Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding for playgrounds applied for by Kerry County Council will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding given to each local authority here for the provision of play areas in their jurisdiction; the amount that will be allocated to Westmeath County Council in 2006 for the provision of such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21780/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 412 together.

Ready, Steady Play: A National Play Policy, which was 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. As part of the implementation of this policy, my Department provided over €2 million in grant aid to County and City Councils in respect of 32 new or refurbished playground projects under the Local Authority Playground Grants Scheme 2004. In 2005, a further €2 million was allocated to local authorities for the development of playground facilities, in particular to meet the cost of purchase and delivery of playground equipment. Details of these grants are set out in the following Table. I expect to announce details of further funding for such facilities in 2006 in the near future.