Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1325. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of local authorities that have applied for funding through the community enhancement programme and town and village renewal fund since they were launched in order to develop or improve playgrounds in their local area; the local authorities that have applied for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54979/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Community Enhancement Programmeprovides vital supports to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland. The programme has provided over €43 million in funding to over 17,000 projects since 2018 with small grants for the improvement of facilities. An iteration of the scheme will run again in 2022. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Through the Community Enhancement Programme, all Local Authorities have received funding to develop or improve playgrounds in their local area.

The Town and Village Renewal Schemeis one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future. It is managed on behalf of my Department by the local authorities. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland. Each year the priorities for the scheme are reviewed and revised as appropriate by my Department. The projects which have been funded cover a wide range of activities, including upgrading public spaces, improving community amenities, as well as supporting enterprise centres and digital hubs. I can confirm to the deputy 17 Local Authorities were granted funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for playgrounds as part of larger projects.

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