Roche sets aside €1 million for skate parks

The Government is to fund the building of skateboard parks in a pilot scheme announced by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche this morning.

Mr Roche said he had set aside €1 million for the project and invited city and county councils tto submit expressions of interest.

"When these are evaluated, a number will be selected for funding," Mr Roche said.

"I am asking local authorities to think outside the box and bring forward imaginative and innovative projects," he added.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment told ireland.com that skateboard facilities were "considerably more expensive" than playgrounds and could range in price from €200,000 to €1/2 million.

Mr Roche also announced a further €2 million to local authorities for the provision of playgrounds, representing €60,000 for each city and county council.