Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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521. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to a community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28036/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland. Applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by my Department such as the CLÁR Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the LEADER programme, and the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). In 2023 I launched the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) which also provides funding towards playgrounds.

The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures, including investment in playgrounds. The deadline for applications under the 2024 CLÁR scheme has now passed. However, I expect to announce the next iteration of the CLÁR scheme in the coming months.

TVRS also provides funding avenues, with playground facilities often forming part of wider amenity projects put forward for funding. Successful projects under the 2023 TVRS were announced in April of this year with funding of €20.4 million allocated to 82 projects under the scheme. Funding for the refurbishment and development of existing playgrounds along with the creation of new playgrounds was announced as part of this funding. The 2024 TVRS is scheduled for launch in October of this year, and scheme priorities will be reviewed in advance to ensure that funding provided will improve and enhance the standard of living for persons in rural Ireland.

Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion. Funding for playgrounds may be provided under this theme, and prospective applicants are advised to contact their Local Action Group in the first instance.

The CEP provides capital funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland, and similarly playgrounds can form a part of the project. The CEP is administered on behalf of the Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their local authority.

The CRF recognises the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through this initiative, communities are being assisted to develop projects such as large-scale multi-purpose sports facilities, skateboard parks, walkways, cycle paths, playgrounds, equipment for sports clubs and community festivals.

Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects providing support to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. To further support communities, on March 15th last I announced a further €50 million in funding under the CRF.

The additional funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.

Under this new round of funding, Tipperary County Council have been awarded funding of €1,465,434 which brings the total funding provided to county Tipperary under the CRF to over €2.4million.