Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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879. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is funding available for upgrading existing playgrounds; to provide a list of such funding and timelines for applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43941/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The support my department provides for the development of new play and recreation facilities for children and young people is through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. Established in 2013, this 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. Applications for the 2025 scheme will open in Q1 of 2025.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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880. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is funding in 2025 for the play and recreation grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43942/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since 2021, funding of €450,000 per year has been made available to Local Authorities through the Capital Grant scheme for Play and Recreation. I anticipate that Capital Grant funding for this purpose will be available again in 2025, and that a call for applications will issue in January.

Applications must be made through the relevant Local Authority Play and Recreation Network member. The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation supports the work of Local Authorities in improving access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities. This can be through the refurbishment and upgrade of existing facilities or through the development of new ones. The scheme offers funding of up to €18,000 per project, an investment that will see positive impacts delivered to children and families across the country.

Many of the projects funded under the scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access, and help to ensure that children with a diverse range of needs can avail of the benefits of high quality play facilities, alongside their peers.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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881. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any funding available for local authorities to draw down to run community fun days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43944/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department provides grant funding for National Play Day. This is provided to Local Authorities to allow them to create and host play and recreational opportunities for children and young people in their communities. The 2024 National Play Day took place on a series of days, between July 13th and 21st 2024.

The aim of National Play Day is to promote play opportunities for children all across the country. Applications are received from Local Authorities for the implementation of a programme of a range of activities to support National Play Day. Each Local Authority that applies for funding under this grant scheme can receive funding up to a maximum of €3,000.

National Play Day funding can also be used by Local Authorities to purchase and distribute play packs to children and young people. These play packs are targeted at children in the wider community in addition to children who may have fewer play opportunities. Play Packs can include items such as skipping ropes, soft balls, crafts or drawing materials, toys for communication, toys for socialisation, toys for sensory, toys for manipulation, and toys for movement.

This year, 30 local authorities successfully applied for funding under this scheme, totalling €90,000.

It is anticipated that similar funding will be available for National Play Day in 2025.