COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2019

QUESTION NO.3

QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on plans for projects and expenditure for Teen Hang Out Spaces following a very insightful survey conducted by SDCC that was reported earlier on this year. To ask whether such projects will be allocated fairly across the county, a timeline of same and for the Chief Executive to give a statement on the matter.

REPLY:

The proposal in relation to the provision of Teen Spaces has been approved by the Council with project locations and capital funding approved and agreed for 2019. The programme is to continue in 2020 and 2021.  However projects for these years have not been proposed yet and locations have yet to be considered.  It is proposed to complete the 2019 projects and review the outcomes; this review will inform the proposed projects and locations for future years. In 2019 the current plans have been agreed and will progress with pilot projects at the following locations across the county:

The proposals are as follows:

Collinstown Park:

A robust area of activity for teenagers, with a goal, basketball net and a large play equipment items, provision of wi-fi and seating scattered throughout the area. The estimated cost is €120,000.

Griffeen Park Esker side:

(Close to the proposed informal ball-wall meeting area for teenagers). It is proposed to augment the facilities at this location to allow for multi-use by a wider section of teenagers. Provision of a tea shop / coffee-pod type facility to serve this area of the park and which would also provide both supervision and toilet facilities to park users. Seating and Wi-Fi is to be incorporated into the plans. The estimated cost is €120,000.

Kingswood Open Space:

Giant bench as a formal meeting area for teenagers (as agreed during the playspace programme), including other large play type equipment for older children and wi-fi provision with an estimate of €40,000.

Avonbeg Open Space:

A MUGA type facility was agreed in principal during the playspace programme, close to the existing playspace with an estimate of €80,000.

Ballycragh Park:

It is proposed to augment the facilities at this location to allow for a formal activity area for teenagers wit equipment designed for use by older children. Seating and Wi-Fi is to be incorporated into the plans. The estimated cost is €110,000.

At the Council meeting in January 2019, it was agreed that the next stage would incorporate further consultation directly with teenagers in the above areas. Intensive consultation directly with teenagers has taken place in early 2019 in relation to the above projects. This feedback is being incorporated into the current design stage. Once the current design stage is completed the projects will be subject the required procurement and tender processes. Subject to successful procurement processes the programme for construction will be agreed with the successful contractor. Public Realm are also currently in discussions with the Broadband Officer in relation to accessing grants to provide broadband access.