Press Releases
O’Malley welcomes funding for playgrounds and skateboard parks in Dun Laoghaire
Progressive Democrats TD Fiona O’Malley has welcomed today’s announcement that €60,000 is being made available to fund the provision of playgrounds by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. In addition, funding is also being made available for a new pilot scheme for skateboard parks.
As part of a package announced today by the Minister for the Environment, each city and county council in the country is to get a grant of €60,000 for the provision of much needed playground facilities in their areas.
In total, €2 million is being spent across the country. In line with other local authorities, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is getting €60,000 to fund the building of playgrounds.
Welcoming news of the funding, Deputy O’Malley said ‘it is imperative that we increase the availability of playgrounds in our local communities, particularly in light of the recent study on Obesity. Children must be given access to secure, appropriate recreational facilities where they can play and exercise with freedom.’
Deputy O’Malley also said that adjustments have been made to the scheme this year in order to make it easier for local authorities to spend the monies allocated. ‘The allocation to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is on a cash basis and the money can be spent on one or more facilities by the council. I would urge Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to avail and spend this funding as quickly and efficiently as possible.’
In addition a pilot scheme is being introduced to provide funding for new skateboard facilities. Each City and County Council is being asked to submit expressions of interest of such proposals. When these are evaluated, a number will be selected for funding. An extra €1 million has been allocated for this purpose.
‘One of the recent recommendations of the Task Force on Obesity was for the expansion of the network of playgrounds across the country, and the much greater provision of facilities like skateboard parks where children can exercise in a fun way,’ says Deputy O’Malley. This area is relatively poorly served at present when it comes to playgrounds and other facilities for young people and I am pleased that this funding is being made to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.’