Calls for Government to 'dramatically increase' funding for playgrounds

Labour representative in Cork City Peter Horgan said local authorities could not fund the establishment and expansion of playgrounds and said significantly more funding from central Government was required.

The Government is facing calls to review funding for playgrounds, with some areas left without any public facilities for children.

Labour senator Marie Sherlock has highlighted inequalities across the country in the provision of parks, playgrounds and other outdoor areas for children.

She also raised significant differences in the level of funding awarded to local authorities across the country to provide facilities for young people.

Between 2017 and 2022, Clare County Council received just €30,034 under the Play and Recreation capital grant scheme, this compared to Laois which received €104,537, and South Dublin which was awarded €106,673.

Cork City Council got €59,711 in the six years up to 2022 while Cork County Council was awarded €75,673 in funding.

Ms Sherlock said: “We know from research in Dublin’s north inner city there is a very small amount of play space for a large amount of children. Architect Ozan Balcik’s research on play and recreation inequalities highlighted that play area amounts to one A3 sheet per child in the North Docks area alone. 

It is vital that the State dramatically increases our play and recreation space.

Labour representative in Cork City Peter Horgan said local authorities could not fund the establishment and expansion of playgrounds and said significantly more funding from central Government was required.

“No one is taking away from the marquee sites like the Marina and Fitzgerald’s Park, but when you look at areas such as Blackrock, Maryborough Hill, Ballintemple, Garryduff, Rochestown, all without playgrounds and play spaces, we have to question why," he asked.

Local authorities can apply for up to €18,000 in funding for individual projects under the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.

Earlier this year, Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman awarded €450,000 to 29 local authorities to improve access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities.

Many of the projects funded under this year’s scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access, and will help to ensure children with a diverse range of needs can avail of the benefits of high-quality play facilities alongside their peers.

Some of these funded projects include the installation of an accessible mini-basketball court; a wheelchair-accessible see-saw; sensory musical equipment and a sensory play trail; autism-friendly play features and biodiversity planting.