Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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104. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the establishment of a working group with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to begin including playgrounds and recreational space in planning requirements when building estates over a certain size. [56901/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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You may be aware that my Department is currently working on the development of the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028. The cross departmental work undertaken in this context will consider general provision for play and recreation facilities in built environments, such as the ones you highlight.

My department will continue to administer the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, running 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. The scheme 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.

Additionally support for play is at the heart of many of the supports and funding provided by DCEDIY to support high quality Early Learning an Care, whether that is through initial training for early years educators, continued professional development, or the inspection frameworks used by the two inspectorates (Tusla and the Department of Education).