The government has announced the Summer of Play initiative to support and encourage children and their families to get outside and play as restrictions ease in the coming months.
The initiative will see grants, supports and information resources rolled out over the summer months. All 31 Local Authorities will benefit from funding for 52 projects under the Capital Grant Scheme in 2021. The application process was open to all Local Authorities, each Local Authority could apply for up to three separate projects; with funding being capped at €30k for each Local Authority. The projects funded encompass a wide range of initiatives that will deliver diverse benefits to children and young people and have a positive impact on communities. They include projects such as sensory gardens, learn to cycle tracks, and natural play trails.
The Playing Outside Grant for Early Learning and Care and School-Aged Childcare services will provide €5.5 million in funding for services to enhance their outdoor spaces. – funds were allocated according to the number of registered children with €1000 allocated to centres with less than 50 children, €2000 to those with 50 to 100 children, and €2500 for those with more than 100 children registered.
The Minister also announced that The Let’s Play Ireland website, which was originally launched in 2020 and gives families access to a range of play resources for children, has now been updated and relaunched for summer 2021.
