Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 932: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of playgrounds developed in the past two years by local authorities, on a county basis. [9628/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Information on the total number of playgrounds provided by local authorities is not available in my Department. However, Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2005, published last 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. Copies of this publication are available 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 city and county councils for the development of new, or refurbishment of existing, playgrounds over the period 2004-2006.