COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

MOTION NO.1

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

Cathaoirleach's Business 

That the Area Committee requests South Dublin County Council to install a communication board at Lucan Demesne as part of the ongoing upgrade plans. This addition would align with similar boards installed in other parks, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for all visitors.

REPORT:

SDCC have installed 13 communication boards in playspaces across the county following the initial pilot project at Corkagh Park. The other installed communications boards are located at playspaces at Collinstown Park, Waterstown Park, Griffeen Valley Park, Hermitage Park, Willsbrook Park, Tymon North, Willington and Limekiln, Rathfarnham Castle Park, Greenhills Park, Perrystown, and Kilnamanagh.

SDCC worked with the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists to design the communications boards used in our Playgrounds. Finding Charlies Voice boards were examined as part of the design process and the communication board that SDCC uses is an enhanced version of the Finding Charlies Voice boards.  It includes graphics and Irish text with a slightly different layout.  During the consultation period we were advised that the boards are useful in certain contexts, such as playgrounds (or high noise/high activity areas where children are likely to become stressed and where communication aids may be necessary). Their introduction in parks more generally was not considered necessary and was not requested.  

Lucan Demesne Park is a quiet space where people come to relax and enjoy nature with the play equipment spaced out and set in very naturalistic settings. Therefore, it would be considered that the general park environment doesn't have the same level of social interaction or stressors that would necessitate a specific communication tool be provided.