Funding allocated to tullamore town park

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr James Reilly announced funding of €5,000 for Offaly Accessible Play project in Tullamore Town Park.  

The funding was part of €250,000 allocated to 21 Local Authorities under the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation across the country. A condition of the grant was that the area had to be tobacco free.

Minister Reilly said “I would like to thank all of those who applied for fundingunder this Scheme. Play is the work of children and improving the quality of play and recreational facilities available to children will reap dividends in years to come. I’d like to pay tribute to the commitment of the community groups and Local Authorities who are working together to achieve this goal.”  

“The projects funded by my Department this year include the upgrade and redevelopment of older play spaces, as well as new projects such as the development of play spaces which re-imagine and co-create natural landscapes of play; the establishment of a pilot play space that will act as a  community space, encouraging all ages to share the space; and the provision of  accessible playground equipment that will  allow more children with disabilities to use and enjoy their local playgrounds, alongside their friends and families,” Minister Reilly explained.

He said additional criterion introduced this year related to Tobacco Free Ireland. “The Government has made clear its intention to progress policies that reduce the prevalence of smoking amongst all ages. I have made a particular point of stressing the need to stop children from ever starting to smoke in the first place and I will pursue a policy of attempting to de-normalise smoking for young people. For that reason an additional criteria was introduced this year, which stipulates that No Smoking signage will be displayed in play spaces and facilities funded under this scheme.”

“My Department continues to work closely with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network to develop criteria to focus the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation on projects which are inclusive, accessible, safe and take into account the views of children and young people”, added the Minister.