76. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to establish a dedicated grant scheme for the maintenance and upgrading of community playgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14526/25]

Sentiment score: 0.23

Will the Minister commit to funding, in a direct and integrated way through our councils, playground provision for towns and villages according to their population size and based on an assessment of existing facilities? Midleton, for example, is a thriving town in east Cork, but our playground provision nowhere near meets the needs of a large and growing local population of young families. We have no skate park. These amenities are desperately needed. We must ensure a proportionate development of community amenities in line with residential development.

Sentiment score: 0.05

Playgrounds are central parts of a flourishing community - places where children get to explore, have fun, challenge themselves and connect with peers. To provide for children in these respects, Midleton requires a much larger playground than either of the two that we currently have. Ballinacurra, which is just outside Midleton, has no playground at all for a rising population. We also need a skate park in Midleton. In addition, we need disability-accessible equipment. In short, our young people deserve better. I thank the local council officials for obtaining €50,000 through a community recognition fund application after I raised the need for a playground upgrade over an extended period. Unfortunately, we need multiples of that amount. It should not fall on committees of families to seek out such funding. I am currently part of a committee of local families, along with my councillor colleague, Eamonn Horgan, and we are exploring all of the funding streams the Minister mentioned to provide expanded and upgraded playground provision in Midleton and Ballinacurra.

Sentiment score: 0.10

It can be invigorating to be part of a committee pursuing funds for playground provision. It brings people together in common purpose for their community. My councillor colleague, Ann Bambury, was central to such an initiative in Bandon for a very ambitious project there, but it should not be left to families to become social entrepreneurs and project managers, essentially spending vast amounts of time trying to stitch together funding grants to develop essential community facilities. It is likely that some of the children of the families based in Midleton and Ballinacurra, which are part of our committee, will have aged out of playground use by the time we have succeeded in achieving the more ambitious parts of our aim. Just as it should not be left to parents to campaign for a new school, they should not have to take on the task of developing playgrounds and skate parks, and expanding existing facilities. Parents have enough to do. Childhood passes by quickly.

Sentiment score: 0.25