Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Local Authority Funding

5:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the grant scheme for the provision of community playgrounds made available to local authorities in 2005 and 2006 will be available in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21190/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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 167 new or refurbished playgrounds since 2004. The location of the playgrounds which benefit from these moneys is a matter for the local authority to decide. Grant aid of approximately €4.1m in respect of over 80 playgrounds remains to be drawn down from my Department by local authorities. An assessment of the overall scheme will be made by my Department when full information is available upon completion of all the projects in those local authorities currently approved for grant aid. The question of inviting further proposals from local authorities will be kept under review in the light of progress made and the availability of funds to my Department for these purposes.

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