Fund playgrounds locally, urges Minister

The Minister of State for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, has urged local authorities to consider funding the provision of new playgrounds for children through increased development levies.

At the publication of a new national policy on play and recreation yesterday, Mr Lenihan announced just €1 million in funding - enough for only four large playgrounds, according to the Government's own figures.

However, he said: "I will be encouraging local authorities to explore the role of development levies in providing play services, and will be encouraging them to develop local funding, including commercial sponsorship."

The policy document, Ready, Steady, Play, identifies a dearth of public play facilities, and highlights the importance of play and recreation in childhood development.

It puts the price of a small playground at €80,000-€100,000, and a large one at €250,000-€300,000, with an additional €7,000 a year in annual maintenance costs.

A survey by the National Children's Office (NCO) in December 2002 found there were just 168 public playgrounds in the State compared to 405 golf courses.

Edinburgh was said to have 10 times as many playgrounds per capita compared to Ireland as a whole.

Mr Ray Dooley, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said while the organisation was pleased with the policy document, "funding is very much an open question".

"The capital costs associated with delivering a proportionate number of playgrounds on a regional basis would probably exceed €20 million. While the €1 million is welcome, it represents just the first step in what will have to be a substantial provision of resources."

Mr Lenihan said the €1 million allocation was to allow local authorities to build or refurbish playgrounds, and applications would be invited shortly.

A series of one-off grants were also announced, including €50,000 to each of the three Dublin paediatric hospitals to be used for play equipment, €100,000 to be divided among paediatric units in hospitals around the country, €50,000 to Pavee Point for the development of culturally-appropriate play material for Traveller children, and €200,000 for the development of computer-related play equipment for children with serious disabilities.

In addition, the Government has approved a €100,000 grant for Children in Hospital Ireland, which promotes the welfare of children in hospital.

As well as recommending improved facilities over the next five years, the policy document calls for efforts to cut the cost of public liability insurance in the context of general insurance reform.

The NCO is also to liaise with local authorities on the establishment of a pilot scheme of "home zones" where the living environment has priority over traffic.

"Many of today's children have more money and toys but less freedom than in the past," said Mr Lenihan.

"There are fewer open spaces and, due to parental fears about safety, children are often not allowed to play unsupervised outside their homes."