File image: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin abandons the Pirate Ship in the playground watched by Anne Rabbitt TD. Image: Brian Lougheed
- €450,000 allocated across the country to Local Authorities for the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas
- 29 projects awarded funding under the Play and Recreation Grant Scheme for 2023
- Projects awarded include wheelchair accessible equipment, sensory equipment, and autism friendly play features
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., yesterday announced the recipients of this year’s Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. A total of €450,000 has been awarded to 29 Local Authorities.
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 this year’s scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access, and will help to ensure that children with a diverse range of needs can avail of the benefits of high quality play facilities alongside their peers. Some of these funded projects include the installation of:
- an accessible mini-basketball court;
- a wheelchair-accessible see-saw;
- aural and visual sensory play units e.g. “Babble Drums”,
- sensory musical equipment and a sensory play trail
- autism-friendly play features; and
- upgraded accessibility features and biodiversity planting.
Announcing the award of funding, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am very happy to support Local Authorities to provide high-quality play areas in their communities that can be enjoyed by all children. By investing in safe, accessible and innovative play infrastructure, we are investing in children’s physical and social development and in their wellbeing.
I congratulate Local Authorities on their successful projects and look forward to seeing the impact this funding will have across the country.”
Notes:
The Play and Recreation Capital Funding Scheme was introduced in 2013 to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people.
The 2023 scheme aims to support;
- the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and/or incorporating natural play elements or,
- new play and recreation facilities.
The application process was open to all Local Authorities, who could each nominate one project for funding. Funding was capped at €18,000 per project. The awarding of this funding is contingent on the Local Authority matched funding of at least 25% of the amount provided by DCEDIY, towards the project.
Eligible applications were evaluated by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth via a weighted scoring system; each of the 5 qualifying criteria was assessed and scored individually and the total project score was an aggregate of the criteria scores.
These criteria included the project’s added value to young people, its accessibility and inclusivity, the nature of consultation with local children and young people, the evidence provided of the ability to complete the project, and the corroboration of need provided in support of the application.
A list of the successful projects, and the funding awarded is attached – Download.