Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has a system of grants or proposals for grants for the provision of skateboard parks by local authorities; the meetings he has had with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in regard to such grant aids; the results of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9067/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2005, I introduced a new initiative for the provision of skateboard facilities by local authorities. Each City and County Council was invited to submit expressions of interest for grant assistance towards the provision of a skateboard park in its area. Applications were assessed in my Department in conjunction with the National Children's Office and some 21 projects in 21 different local authority areas were recommended for grant aid. A sum of €1 million had initially been earmarked for the scheme in 2005 but, in light of the number and quality of submissions received, I approved all 21 projects in November 2005 and increased the funding allocation to over €2 million which is expected to be spent over the two year period 2006 and 2007.

Discussions about this particular initiative were not broached between my Department and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.