Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grants that are available for organisations under any scheme for the purchasing of small items of equipment for outdoor activity with children who are from disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40066/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding sources which may be available to develop a playground in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40203/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 174 together.

Funding of €427m is available under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 for allocation to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate amenity and leisure facilities to local communities in rural areas not otherwise available to them. Accordingly, it may be possible to obtain funding for projects of the nature referred to in the questions under the RDP. There are 35 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. The contact details of these groups can be found on my Department's website www.environ.ie

Funding has also been allocated for the RAPID leverage schemes, under which my Department co-funds with other Departments and agencies a range of small-scale local projects, including playgrounds. My Department is currently paying down outstanding commitments under these schemes and is not in a position to consider new applications at the present time.