Written answers

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Recreational Facilities

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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507. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding disability accessible playgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10984/18]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department administers a Capital Grant Funding Scheme for new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. Applications are invited from Local Authorities under two categories:

- New and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities. New and innovative projects can include new facilities, equipment, designs and / or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces. 

- Refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities.

In order for the application to be considered there are 5 criteria which must be met; one of the criteria being accessibility. The application must indicate how facilities and equipment for which funding is sought will be made accessible to children and young people with additional needs - this includes both provision of access to the facility and provision of accessible equipment.

The remaining criteria which must be met are:

- Availability – when the facilities / equipment for which funding is sought will be available for use by the target audience

- Child and youth friendly and safe – the steps taken to ensure that the facility / equipment for which funding is requested is child and youth friendly and safe

- Consultation with local children and young people – how children and young people who are living locally and will have access to the facility have been or will be consulted about the project for which funding is sought and how the outcome of the consultation has / will inform the provision of the project

- Confirmation that no smoking signage will be displayed in a prominent position in the facility for which funding is requested.

The total amount of funding made available in 2017 was €250,000. The maximum grant available was €20,000 to each Local Authority. Twenty-five awards were made in 2017 with the largest amount awarded was for €15,000 and the lowest amount was €5,000.

€250,000 has been allocated for this scheme again in 2018. My Department is currently working with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network to finalise the scheme for 2018. It is excepted that applications will open in late March/early April for the 2018 funding process.

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