My Green Party colleague Minister Roderic O’Gorman, announced €450,000 had been awarded to 29 Local Authorities for the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas. The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation supports the work of Local Authorities in improving play and recreation facilities.
I am delighted to see €10,147 going towards the upgrade of wheelchair accessible play equipment at Lloyd Town Park in Tullamore. Additionally, €18,000 will go towards the Phase 1 Upgrade to Mountmellick Park which will go towards better accessibility as well as biodiversity enhancements.
Many of the projects funded under this year’s scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access, and will help to ensure that 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;
aural and visual sensory play units e.g. “Babble Drums”,
sensory musical equipment and a sensory play trail
autism-friendly play features; and
upgraded accessibility features and biodiversity planting.
Our Local Authorities do a fantastic job in providing quality play areas for our communities that can be enjoyed by all children. I’m delighted to see this funding for investment in, and improvement of, safe and accessible play infrastructure which ultimately will improve children’s physical and mental well-being.
I know that this funding will go a long way and I thank my Green Party colleague, Minister O’Gorman, for making it available.