More than 20 local authorities are to provide skateboard facilities under a new €2 million initiative funded by the Department of the Environment.
Twenty-one different projects have been recommended for the funding under the scheme, four of which are located in the Dublin area.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche said he had initially earmarked €1 million for the pilot scheme for 2005, but increased the allocation after the applications were submitted.
Mr Roche said he had initially earmarked €1 million for the pilot scheme for 2005, but increased the funding allocation after the applications were submitted. The €2 million is expected to be spent in the next two years.
"Up to now, financial assistance has concentrated on the provision of playgrounds for younger children, with few specialist facilities being provided for the older age group," he said.
This new funding follows the allocation of €3.6 million to local authorities for the development of playground projects in 2005, announced earlier this year.
Mr Roche called on the companies to implement the projects as "a matter of urgency".
