COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, May 22, 2017

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor D. Richardson

"That this Committee asks the Chief Executive to report on the current Playspace Programme. Saggart and Brittas seem to have been forgotten about in the current Playspace Programme. Springbank do not want the Playspace but I have suggested two other sites. Brittas have a site picked."

REPORT:

"Since the last update on the programme in November 2016 Play Spaces have been completed and opened in the county in the following locations:

Tallaght Central

Kingswood Open Space

Kilnamanagh

Sean Walsh Park

Tymon Park North refurbishment

Rathfarnham Templeogue Terenure

Glendoher Park

All of these play spaces have been very successful and are well used.

Work has recently commenced on the refurbishment of the playground in Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan.

In relation to the programme generally:

Consultation: As discussed before the consultation process has evolved from town hall style meetings where the proposal was presented: (1 play space: 1 meeting), to a more intensive engagement process where local people meet with council officials to talk about play. This allows for an exchange of ideas on what is required in a local area. Children are involved in the play space design as central to the proposed provision.

The more intensive consultation (from 1 meeting to 7-10 engagements (on average)), has a knock-on effect, in terms of resource commitment and delivery time; it is a process that requires time. However, it is felt that the resulting delivery, the reported satisfaction rates and the decrease in vandalism is a worthwhile payback.

This increase in consultation requirements (in one recent case the consultation process took 1 year), has meant that the plays paces have a longer delivery arc. It may be that an acceleration in terms of delivery may occur now that the programme is ‘up and running’ but this will have to be monitored. Each play space is unique and it is difficult to estimate the time each will take. This issue will have to be monitored and an assessment made of the best way to complete the programme in a timely fashion.

Saggart has not been forgotten about and is included in the programme and alternative sites are being investigated there. Brittas, which was never included in the programme, has been included at the request of the Elected members and is in the consultation list for consideration: some consultation has already taken place in relation to a possible project there.

In this regard it is intended to present a programme of consultation to each of the Area Committees in June 2017 that will detail to the end of 2017 a realistic timescale for consultation and commencement of construction. "