Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of recreational areas or parks that have received funding from his Department or its agencies in each of the past five years; the criteria attached to such funding allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40913/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes to benefit communities, through which funding may be available for recreational areas or parks. The most relevant schemes for the purposes of the Deputy's query are the CLÁR Programme, the Rural Recreation Scheme, the RAPID Programme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) and the Gaeltacht Improvement Schemes. The total number of recreational areas or parks that have received funding in the past five years under these and other improvement schemes operated by my Department is 1455, of which 172 received funding in the current year. A full detail of the breakdown per programme and per year is outlined in the following table. I will arrange to forward to the Deputy further information in relation to the relevant schemes and programmes, including the specific eligibility criteria.

In relation to the agencies within the ambit of my Department, I am advised by the Western Development Commission (WDC) that six recreational projects have benefited from the Western Investment Fund since 2004. There are two main criteria of eligibility for funding under the WDC Investment Fund. These are:

1. The commercial viability of the project and its ability to provide the WDC Investment Fund with an appropriate financial return for the risk undertaken.

2. The social benefits accruing to the area served by the project and the region as a whole as a result of the investment, including employment potential and enhancing quality of life.

Finally, as regards Údarás na Gaeltachta, I am advised that they have provided funding in the case of 2 recreational areas or parks during the past 5 years. In addition, I understand that they have given sites on a lease basis for the development of play facilities in 2 further instances, one of which is now completed and works will be commencing shortly on the other.