Reply - M 15

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

MOTION NO. 15

MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins

That the Manager amend the Council’s Play Policy to include the provision of a playground in Palmerstown.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council adopted its first Play Policy on July 10th 2006. The Play Policy which was formulated by Sports, Recreation, Community and Parks Strategic Policy Committee recognises that it is a child's right to live happily and the primary way that this can be done is through play.

The policy aims to:

Promote the importance of Play for children
Recognise and actively support all children having the right to play (as stated in the 1998 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
Enable all children in local communities across South Dublin access to good quality play opportunities.
Provide a framework by which play provision for children in the County can be developed and expanded.

Specifically it is a Countywide Policy on the Development & Management of Playgrounds and Play Areas (2006) and is a Council strategic plan which outlines its commitments towards the support and development of facilities. It outlines the future development of and management of playgrounds and play areas in South

The review of the Council's Play Policy is currently ongoing. The Play Policy review group will have regard to the experience gained to date, particularly in relation to unsupervised playgrounds. Consideration will also be given to the type and location of play facilities provided for children and also the provision of exercise facilities for adults.

Arising from the review and adoption of a new Play Policy by the Council, it is envisaged that one of the actions of the new Play Policy will be the review and updating of the existing Playground Construction Programme which will have regard to the new policy as well as the availability of finance at that time. The provision of a playground in Palmerstown will be considered as part of this review.