Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 692: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans in place to enforce the recent recommendations by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which in Article 62, states that the Committee is concerned that little political and financial importance is given to the creation of recreational facilities and that increasing housing demands may further hamper the developments of playgrounds and public space and which in Article 63, states that the Committee recommends that the State party place more emphasis on the creation of facilities for children to enjoy leisure, recreation and cultural activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34334/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Our planning framework takes extensive account of the needs of children and, in particular, the provision of recreational facilities and child care. At national and regional levels, the National Spatial Strategy and Regional Planning Guidelines identify improved social, amenity and cultural infrastructure as being key to achieving the objective of improving quality of life and providing better places for people to live in. In turn, these aims are translated into concrete policies and actions in county and city development plans, as well as through local area plans. The provision of community, sport and other recreational facilities and amenities have a key role in delivering this.

In order to drive development in the regions, the NSS proposes that areas of sufficient scale and critical mass will be built up through a network of gateways and hubs. Under the NSS, the need for more effective co-operation between local authorities and developers is emphasised to ensure integrated provision of social and community infrastructure such as parks, sporting and cultural facilities and schools along with development of new housing and other areas in the gateway cities.

Moreover, the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) translate the broad strategic aims and policies set out in the NSS into regional-level plans and then into local development plans, local plans and local authority decision-making. My Department also monitors the preparation of these city and county development plans to ensure consistency with the NSS and RPGs.

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, local authorities must have regard to requirements regarding recreation and amenities in preparing their development plans. Earlier this summer, my Department issued draft Guidelines for the Preparation of Development Plans for public consultation. These Guidelines emphasise the objectives for the provision of public open space and recreation space including space/places for children to play and the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities. I hope to publish the finalised Guidelines early next year, taking account of the many submissions and comments received.

Furthermore, the Ready, Steady Play: A National Play Policy publication, issued 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 development of new or refurbishment of existing playgrounds over the period 2004-2006.