COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
MOTION NO. 4
MOTION: Councillor D. O'Brien
"That the Chief Executive provide a report on the new Teen Space program and for this report to include what areas in the Lucan LEA will be included in the program."
REPORT:
A consultation process with teenagers commenced in 2017. This is being led by the Dept of Environment Water and Climate Change and the Community Department.
The research is defined as a study of the facilities for teenagers in South Dublin County and examines both active and passive recreational requirements. Background research is on-going over the period to assess current level of provision for this group. Consultation is also on-going with regard to the facilities for teenagers with particular focus on:
- facility providers
- relevant interest groups
- teenagers
Contact was made with clubs and recreational providers to assess current level of provision. A focus group with teenagers from the Ballycragh, Firhouse area was carried out early in 2017. The Community Development Team also engaged with Comhairle na Nog in the consultation process.
The SDCC Communication Unit commenced a social media consultation process with content was targeted at the relevant demographic with paid advertisements targeted within the SDCC region and aimed at 13-19 year olds. This multi-media campaign closed on January 19th 2018. Approx. 500 submissions were received to date and analysis is currently underway.
It is also intended to utilise the public participatory budgetary process and the proposed implementation of the ball wall in the Lucan area in 2018 to engage with teenagers on this new type of facility provision in our parks.
Once the survey analysis is completed; findings will be reported on and these findings will also inform what next steps may be required, which may include engagement of existing Community and Youth Services, Local Sports Partnership etc. The final results will also inform the provision of facilities into the future and a report will be made to the Committees in that regard.
The capital budget 2018-2020 has included an allocation for teenage facilities to commence in 2019. The consultation process as outlined above is intended to feed into decisions about the type of facilities that will be provided and also give information where current need is greatest. The provision of outdoor recreational facilities specifically for teenagers will serve to promote both physical and mental health and well being.