Written answers

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Department of Rural and Community Development

School Playgrounds

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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248. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available via the CLÁR programme or other programmes within his Department to a school in a rural area planning to refurbish outdoor play areas on the school grounds to incorporate play equipment in the interests of promoting physical activity within the school community; his views on whether a CLÁR-funded playground must be made available to the wider community; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this condition is imposing extensive insurance costs on school communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20949/19]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.

Since I reintroduced the programme in 2016, funding has been provided for a range of measures, including for the enhancement or development of Play Areas and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs). Eligible applicants under this measure include both schools and communities. Given that CLÁR is providing public money for these projects, I believe that the facilities should be available to the general community.

In the case of schools, I appreciate that the use of play areas and MUGAs by the general community may need to be restricted to times outside of school hours.

My Department was established to promote rural and community development throughout Ireland. In order to do achieve this objective, funding provided to projects should have the widest possible benefit for communities. It is in this context that the CLÁR programme stipulates that play areas and MUGAs must be available to all members of the community.

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