Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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566. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will develop a specific fund for local authorities to develop and improve playgrounds in their area on a multi-annual basis. [9144/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My department has administered the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreationevery year since 2013. The Scheme provides support for the development of new play and recreation facilities and the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and / or incorporating natural play elements. A key criteria of the Scheme is that facilities funded are accessible to all children.

The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation is run in conjunction with each of the 31 Local Authorities; via the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). This approach is taken to allow each Local Authority to assess and prioritise needs in their area and to enhance the level of accountability under this grant heading.

The allocation for the Scheme in 2022 is €450,000, calls for applications have issued to all Local Authorities, the closing date for return of applications is 8th March 2022.

The scheme and fund will be reviewed in 2022.