[Article]€2m earmarked for local authority playgrounds

Victor

WOOOO_ooo! This really compares well with the €16m for the horsey set last year. :rolleyes:

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/3636532?view=Eircomnet

€2m earmarked for local authority playgrounds
From:ireland.com
Wednesday, 21st July, 2004


Grants totalling €2 million are to be given to 32 local authorities for the provision of new and refurbished children's playgrounds, it was announced today.


The grants are part of the "Ready, Steady, Play" policy launched earlier this year by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Brian Lenihan.

The authorities will receive funding of up to 50 per cent of the total cost of the project.

The biggest grant of €140,000 has been allocated to Fingal County Council towards the Millennium Park in Blanchardstown. The second largest allocation, €115,000, has been given to South Dublin County Council towards the development of Tymon Park. The largest grant allocated outside the capital goes to Galway County Council which receives €100,000 for a children's playground in Loughrea town.

Speaking at the announcement of the grants scheme today, Mr Lenihan paid tribute to officials in the local authorities around the country for "the effort that they put into the development of the council's proposals."

He said that all playgrounds in the scheme will be free of charge to the public.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/07/21/story158059.html

Nationwide playgrounds plan a boost for children
21/07/2004 - 12:46:04

Thousands of children are to benefit from a multi-million euro plan to build 32 playgrounds throughout the country, it was announced today.

Play areas will be established or refurbished in 25 counties by the local authorities at a cost of €2m.

Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, said the grants, which ranged from €17,000 to €140,000, would provide 50% of the funds to city and county councils who sent in plans for their amenities.

Mr Lenihan said: “The proposed playgrounds vary in size from smaller local playgrounds which will serve towns and villages, to much larger regional playgrounds that will be located in areas that have greater numbers of children and young people.”

The national policy paper ‘Ready, Steady, Play’ showed there was a severe lack of public facilities for children.

There were just 168 public playgrounds in the State, compared with 405 golf courses, a survey by the National Children’s Office showed in December 2002.

A spokeswoman for the Children’s Rights Alliance said the group welcomes the funds as part of the strategy announced earlier this year.

“It has been tied to consultation with children which is part of the national children’s strategy and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child under section 12 to consult with children,” the spokeswoman said.

“Down the line we would like to see more funds but today’s announcement is a start. The UN article which obliges governments to ensure children have the right to play actually acknowledges the importance of play for children.

“Very often we hear talk of more golf course than playgrounds so there is a need.”

The Dublin West TD said the proposals were evaluated on the basis of their quality, value for money and the demand in the area.

Dublin’s Fingal County Council was granted €140,000 for the Millennium Park in Blanchardstown, Galway County Council received €100,000 for Loughrea and Monaghan County Council was given €17,000 for Newbliss Village.

There are 52 actions set out in the policy, which was launched last March, to ensure the importance of play in the development of healthy children is recognised.

The play policy developed under the 2002 National Children’s Strategy recommended improving facilities over the next five-years and making efforts to cut the cost of public liability insurance.

The paper showed a small playground cost between €80,000 and €100,000, a large one €250,000 to €300,000, and €7,000 would have to be spent each year in maintenance costs.

PhilipMarlowe

There's way more 15+ year olds than 0-14 so the ratio to golf courses to playgrounds seems about right

The costings shown seem really high though. 245k for a playgorund?

Saw one in the park in waterford during the week that looked impressive. Our kids love the one in the castle park in kilkenny but it could well do with some of this investment.

mrhappy42

was in france recently and the parks were fantastic they even had small merry go rounds around.