Written answers
Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Recreational Facilities
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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499. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of playgrounds developed annually since 2016 under the capital grant scheme for play and recreation; the breakdown of new or refurbished playgrounds by county; her plans to strengthen the role of the local authority play and recreation network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17390/19]
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The information requested is outlined in the following tables.
Number of playgrounds developed annually since 2016
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 33 | 35 |
| County | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Total from 2016-2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cavan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Clare | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Cork | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Donegal | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| Dublin | 1 | 7 | 5 | 13 |
| Galway | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Kerry | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Kildare | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Kilkenny | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Laois | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Longford | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Louth | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mayo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Meath | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Monaghan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Offaly | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Roscommon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Sligo | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Tipperary | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Waterford | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Westmeath | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Wexford | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Wicklow | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 22 | 33 | 35 | 90 |
Local Authorities that did not apply for Capital Grant Funding
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown | Cork City | Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
| Leitrim | Galway City | Leitrim |
| Limerick | Leitrim | |
| Louth | Limerick | |
| Sligo | Waterford |
The Department also works with the Local Authority for Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). The LAPRN was established to bring a more coordinated approach to the implementation of the National Play and Recreation policies, and this Department works closely with the group to develop and promote improved play and recreation facilities. Since 2018 DCYA have established annual meetings with the LAPRN members and established a sub-group of the LAPRN to consult on the application process for Play and Recreation.
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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500. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will publish the new play and recreation policies further to the completion in quarter 4 2016 of the review of the previous national play and recreation policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17391/19]
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department provides funding through the local authorities for National Play Day and National Recreation Week activities. In 2018, a total of €78,000 was awarded to 20 local authorities for these activities. Additionally, a capital grant funding scheme for play and recreation was introduced in 2013 to provide capital funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for all children and young people. In 2018, €250,000 was awarded to 26 local authorities under this scheme.
The Department also works with the Local Authority for Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). The LAPRN was established to bring a more coordinated approach to the implementation of the National Play and Recreation policies, and this Department works closely with the group to develop and promote improved play and recreation facilities.
The review of the play and recreation policy was considered by officials in my Department. Further work has been done in building towards new play policy and this has been reflected in First 5, A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. This is a ten year Strategy which was launched in November 2018.
Under strategic Action 3.3 of First 5 my Department is committed to conducting a mapping exercise of current play policy, practice and provision with a focus on early childhood and, on the basis of findings, to make recommendations for future actions.
Progress has been made under this Action as researchers from DCU have compiled a report mapping out the full range of playgrounds and MUGAs across Ireland which was part-funded by my Department.
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