Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will restore playground funding in 2007 to enable projects in villages such as Ardfert, Rossbeigh, Sneem and so on in County Kerry to go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30313/07]

John 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. Grant aid of approximately €4m in respect of over 75 playgrounds remains to be drawn down from my Department by local authorities.

There has been no decision to withdraw funding from these schemes. The question of inviting further proposals from local authorities is being kept under review in the light of experience gained under the current schemes.