Minister O’Gorman announces funding to Local Authorities for the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas
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From: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Published on: 4 June 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
- €450,000 allocated across the country to Local Authorities for the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas
- 30 projects awarded funding under the Play and Recreation Grant Scheme for 2024
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today (4 June) announced the recipients of this year’s Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. A total of €450,000 has been awarded to 30 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
- wheelchair-accessible see-saws
- inclusive sensory playground equipment
- autism-friendly play features
- upgraded accessibility features and biodiversity planting
Announcing the award of funding, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am very happy to support our Local Authorities in providing the highest quality play equipment in their communities that can be accessed 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 want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Local Authorities on their submissions 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 2024 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.
| Local authority | Project title/description | Funding approved |
| Carlow | Accessible Mini Basketball Court - Oak Park Forest Park - Carlow | €16,363.39 |
| Cavan | Refurbishment works - Killymooney Playground - Cavan Town | €15,184.05 |
| Clare | Friends Together Playground Upgrade - Ennis | €13,120.20 |
| Cork City | Playground Upgrade- Grattan Hill | €14,741.79 |
| Cork County | Refurbishment of Leap Playground | €14,152.12 |
| Donegal | Playground Refurbishment - Killygordon | €16,510.81 |
| Dublin City | Play Sufficiency' Phase 7 - Right to Play - Safe Place to Play (Part 1) | €17,690.15 |
| Fingal | Installation of inclusive play and sensory equipment in Seabury Playground - Malahide | €16,510.81 |
| Galway City Council | Roscam Inclusive Toddler Castle Play Unit | €16,953.06 |
| Galway County Council | Renovations project 2024 - Parkmore Playground - Tuam | €15,773.72 |
| Kerry | Inclusive Upgrade to Tralee Town Park Playground | €16,881.81 |
| Kildare | Equipment Upgrade - Moone Playground | €14,152.12 |
| Kilkenny | Playground Improvements 2024 - Kilmacow | €16,658.23 |
| Laois | Accessibility/Biodiversity Playground Upgrade - Durrow Playground | €17,542.74 |
| Leitrim | Upgrade of existing play facilities, installation of play panels with sensory elements - Barleyfield Playground, Carrigallen | €16,215.97 |
| Limerick | Shelbourne Park Inclusive Roundabout and Playground Surfacing Repairs | €15,773.72 |
| Longford | Refurbishment of Drumlish Playground | €17,395.32 |
| Louth | Playground Refurbishment - Ardee | €10,761.51 |
| Mayo | Proposed Refurbishment of Existing Community Playground at Show Grounds - Ballinrobe | €15,478.88 |
| Meath | Replacement of Existing Cable/Zipline Equipment in Swift St Playground - Trim | €9,414.11 |
| Monaghan | Repairs to Corlat Playground, Knockatallon | €15,773.72 |
| Offaly | Removal of existing slide climber; and install of space net and all ability swing - Connolly Park - Tullamore | €15,036.63 |
| Roscommon | Monksland Playground Makeover - Athlone | €14,671.36 |
| Sligo | Inclusive Sensory Playground Equipment - Doorly Park Playground | €15,626.30 |
| South Dublin | Delaford Park Playspace | €15,200.43 |
| Tipperary | Inclusive Play- Loughtagalla Playground | €15,626.30 |
| Waterford | Panda Theme Playground - Ballymacarbry | €16,953.06 |
| Westmeath | Upgrade Works - Killlucan Playground | €16,363.39 |
| Wexford | Enhancement of Min Ryan Playground | €1,700.55 |
| Wicklow | Inclusivity Project - Blessington Playground | €15,773.72 |
| Totals | €450,000 |