Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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481. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of funding for the refurbishment and retrofitting of playgrounds by local authority in the years 2021 and to date in 2022; the estimated funding for same in 2023; and the funding that has been made available to make playgrounds more inclusive for children with additional needs. [57326/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN) was established in 2012 as a mechanism for central and Local Government to work collectively to bring about the best policy initiatives for children and young people in terms of the provision and promotion of play and recreational facilities.

The DCEDIY Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation was introduced in 2013 to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people.

The criteria for the scheme were 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. Grants are for the development of new play facilities, the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and / or incorporation of natural play areas.

A selection committee reviews all applications received and one of the key criteria of the Scheme is facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.

In 2021, applications received from all 31 Local Authorities were deemed to be successful. The full allocation of €469,716was drawn down in 2021.

The same procedure applied in 2022. All 29 applications received were deemed successful. The full allocation of €450,000was awarded.

The 2023 allocation will remain at €450,000.

Please see below table of Play and Recreation Capital allocations for 2021 and 2022.