Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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625. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will outline available funding streams from her Department to support recreational activities and social spaces for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9649/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides support for the development of new play and recreation facilities for children and young people 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.

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.

In 2025, funding of €500,000 has been made available to Local Authorities through this scheme.

Dormant Accounts funding of €250,000 has also been secured by my department to establish a pilot fund which will be invited to develop and submit a proposal for a project to address the recreational needs of teenagers in their local authority area, up to a maximum cost of €125,000.

A key feature of this pilot fund is the consultation process with Comhairle na nÓg. Since 2002, Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) have been giving young people a voice on the development of local policies and services in each of the 31 Local Authorities.

This process will allow teenagers to have an input on the plans for their local proposal. Teenagers will also be represented on the evaluation panel established to review eligible applications.

It is intended that the funding will allow the successful local authorities to install/develop a significant project which will benefit the teenagers in the area.

Applications for this project close on the 4th of April 2025.