Play and Recreation Schemes

A capital grant-funding scheme for play and recreation provides capital funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The total amount of funding made available each year is €250,000. A maximum grant of €20,000 is allocated to each local authority. Local authorities are invited to apply for funding for projects, which provide:

• new and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities (new and innovative projects can include new facilities, equipment, designs and /or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces)
• refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities

Since 2011, there has been annual funding provided to support National Play Day. The aim of National Play Day is to help increase public awareness of the importance of play.

Grants are offered to local authorities to organise activities that promote a theme that is decided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network.

The theme for National Play Day 2018 was ‘Celebrating 25 Years of a Child’s Right to Play’. The theme helped to highlight Article 31 of the United Nation’s Convention of the Rights of the Child which was ratified by Ireland 25 years ago. Children and young people could participate and enjoy games such as skipping, rounders, marbles, relays and obstacle courses. Artistic and imaginative options include creative play elements such as messy play, art, dress up and den building.

23 local authorities staged Play Day events in 2018.

National Recreation Week is for young people over 12. A maximum of €1,700 is available under this fund to each local authority. The theme for National Recreation week is the same as the theme for National Play Day, which is identified annually by the DCYA and the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network.

21 Local Authorities staged National Recreation Week in 2018.