Council backs playgrounds on insurance

INSURANCE costs need not be an obstacle to providing playgrounds for children, as compensation claims from playground accidents are only a tiny fraction of total claims, an expert group has said.

The Kerry Play Advisory Committee, working closely with Kerry County Council, is encouraging community groups to develop play facilities. There are about 32,000 children up to 14 years of age in the county, but only seven public playgrounds. “There’s a huge demand for play facilities and our new policy is seen as a stepping stone to improving existing facilities and providing new facilities,’ explained Niamh O’Sullivan, facilitator to the committee.

She said that of 3,000 compensation claims against Kerry County Council in the past decade, only two related to playgrounds.

Ms O’Sullivan also stated that the council would accept responsibility for playground insurance, once playgrounds were up to the proper standards and complied with council safety guidelines.

“Insurance is not be a problem and need not be an excuse for people being reluctant get involved in play facilities,” she commented.

Costs, however, may be a difficulty for some groups.

According to estimates, it could cost up to €40,000 to provide a playground for children under three years and around 120,000 for three different age groups.

Committee chairman Tom Fleming said he hoped the Kerry policy could be used as a blueprint for other local authorities.

“A great deal of time and effort has gone into the policy and we’re confident it will help communities create more play facilities,” he remarked at the launch of the scheme.