Written answers
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Local Authorities
Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1801.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided to Galway County Council each year since 2020 for the play and recreation capital funding scheme, including the projects supported each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32030/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Galway County Council has applied for and been awarded funding each year since 2020, under the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. The projects and amount of funding provided, by year, is tabulated below.
Galway County Council - Play and Recreation Capital Grants -Funding provided since 2020
| Year | Amount | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | €0 | Proposed projects (Loughrea Playground, Tirboy Playground, Tuam and St. Michael Playground, Ballinasloe) cancelled by Galway County Council due to Covid-19. |
| 2021 | €15,896.00 | Project 1: Refurbishment of Gort Road playground, Loughrea (€6,637) Project 2: Refurbishment St. Micheal’s Playground, Ballinasloe (€3,517) Project 3: Refurbishment Palace Grounds, Tuam (€5,742) |
| 2022 | €15,852.00 | Project 1: Ballinasloe Leisure Centre playground upgrade (€9,247) Project 2: Portumna Playground upgrade. (€6,605) |
| 2023 | €16,633.00 | Wheelchair accessible roundabout and repairs to existing equipment – Loughrea Playground. |
| 2024 | €15,773.72 | Renovations project 2024 - Parkmore Playground - Tuam |
The support my department provides through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation is for the development of new play and recreation facilities for children and young people. Established in 2013, the grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.
The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established to bring a focus on play and recreation within each local authority.
For each project, 25% of the awarded amount must be provided by the Local Authority. Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe, and all projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them, including outside of school hours.
Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.
Since 2021, funding of €450,000 per year has been made available to Local Authorities through this scheme. Applications must be made through the relevant Local Authority Play and Recreation Network member.
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