Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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779. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will create a capital budget line to build playgrounds in areas that do not have same. [42773/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Every year since 2013, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (previously Department of Children and Youth) has provided Local Authorities with the opportunity to apply for funding for the refurbishment or development of new and existing play facilities for children and young people through DCEDIY Play and Recreation Capital Grant Scheme.

Under the Scheme, each of the 31 Local Authorities can make one application with a maximum of 3 projects for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds or development of a new playground.  This year, applications were received from all 31 Local Authorities for 52 projects and a total of €450,000 was awarded by my Department.

Criteria for the Scheme are developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN), established for the purpose of bringing a focus on play and recreation within each Local Authority.

Anyone interested in proposing the development of a new playground in their area should liaise with their LAPRN Member in order to work with them so that the project can be considered by them as part of their application for funding under the DCEDIY Play and Recreation Capital Grant Scheme in future years.