Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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528. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the playground in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle will be fully useable; and the number of consecutive weeks it has not been fully usable. [38008/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Kilkenny Castle playground is an extremely popular amenity which attracted approximately 105,000 visitors in 2022. The majority of the playground in Kilkenny Castle has remained fully open and fully operational. There were three specific items of equipment that required repair and these were cordoned off in the interest of health and safety.

These items are: the multi climbing frame, the space net and the ability whirl carousel. The multi climbing frame was cordoned off for a total of two weeks. This was repaired brought back into use on 30th August 2023.

The space net pyramid and the ability whirl carousel have been more challenging to repair. This is because the required parts had to be sourced outside of Ireland. This has led them to being closed for forty weeks for the space net pyramid and sixty eight weeks for the ability whirl carousel. The appropriate parts have now been sourced and will be arriving in Ireland at the end of September 2023. It is anticipated that these playground amenities will be fully usable by the middle of October 2023.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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529. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has given consideration to providing free, sports-equipment-sharing lockers in the Phoenix Park (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38130/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works has, for many years provided extensive sporting facilities in State owned parks and gardens to several different sporting organisations and clubs. At the Phoenix Park a range of sporting activities take place and cricket, GAA, soccer and polo clubs have operated for decades on a lease basis with the OPW.

The sporting groups organise and run their venues, pitches, or grounds independently of the OPW and the clubs are directly responsible for the provision of the equipment required for the particular sport.

The OPW will consider how this BoxUp scheme operates over the coming months with local authorities and the Local Sports Partnerships. If successful, and if there is potential for the model to be considered for the Phoenix Park, the OPW will further explore the feasibility of providing equipment sharing in suitable areas of the Park.