Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 682: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount, the name and location of every public playground here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34037/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 691: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of playgrounds supplied by local and State authorities in the past 10 years. [34333/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 691 together.

Information on the number, names and location of public playgrounds in Ireland is not available in my Department. However, Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2005, published earlier this year by the Local Government Management Services Board, reported on performance across 42 indicators covering the broad range of local authority activities. Two of the indicators relate to playgrounds and these enable comparisons to be made across local authorities on their performance in this area. Specifically, the indicators show the number of children's playgrounds per 1,000 population

provided directly by the local authority, and

facilitated by the local authority.

I am arranging for copies of this publication to be placed in the Oireachtas Library.

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 has allocated funding of over €8 million to County and City Councils for the development of new, or refurbishment of existing, playgrounds over the period 2004-2006.