I am delighted to be here today in Griffith Park to open this newly re-designed playground. This new facility will provide many hours of entertainment for the children of this area.
The key to the success of these facilities is our collective awareness of just how important play is in the lives of children. Through play, children develop independence and social and problem-solving skills. It is an excellent way of keeping children healthy and active.
As you will be aware, I launched the Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity on Monday in Government Buildings. That report outlined some very startling statistics in relation to the growing problem of obesity in our society, in particular amongst the youngest members of society.
Data suggests that there are more than 300,000 overweight and obese children on this island, with a potential rise of 10,000 new cases every year.
Given the scale of this problem, it is imperative that, collectively, we do all in our power to prevent the growing rise in obesity in this country. The opening of this playground represents one further step in the right direction in this regard.
A playground like this is important in making a habit of exercise in a safe environment. Furthermore, play is also important in helping children to develop strong friendships. As we all remember from our childhoods, a shared understanding of games – and the rough and tumble that ensues – creates strong bonds between children
Last March, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Children, Brian Lenihan T.D. launched Ready, Steady, Play! - A National Play Policy. The Play Policy provides a framework for the development of public play facilities in Ireland. Its overall aim is to ensure that children have access to a range of quality play opportunities to enrich their childhood. I am proud to say that Ireland was the first country to produce such a detailed national policy.
Funding
The Policy is now beginning to make a tangible difference for the children of Ireland. In the past 12 months there has been significant investment in the provision of publicly funded play facilities. A total of €7.9 million in funding has been provided since the launch of the Policy. Of this, €7.3 million has gone directly towards providing playgrounds, with the remaining €600,000 being targeted at play in healthcare settings.
As part of this, funding of €3 million was made available to support the development of new or refurbished playgrounds in RAPID areas. This scheme will result in a total of 45 playgrounds being built in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country. A further 32 playgrounds with funding under the Local Authority Playground Grants Scheme are nearing completion.
I am happy to say that both these schemes will continue this year and that the local authorities will receive information about them in the coming weeks.
Griffith Park playground has been brought to fruition as a result of the strong commitment of Dublin City Council’s Parks Department and the Central Area Office who worked in partnership with Government Departments to secure the €150,000 needed to upgrade this park. And I would like to congratulate Mark Jones of the Parks Department who ensured that the whole effort went so smoothly.
In the last year. playgrounds have also been installed in various locations throughout the Central Area such as in Diamond Park on Dublin’s Gardiner Street and in Mountjoy Square. We can also attribute the new playgrounds in Dorset Street, James Larkin House and Popular Row and Courtney Place to the RAPID Playground scheme I mentioned earlier. I know that all of these projects have gained great support within the community at large, with fund-raising initiatives playing a key role in their successful completion.
I would like to pay tribute to the local community here – to the residents, parents, local councillors and to the children themselves – who were involved in the Griffith Park project. I know that you played a very active role at every step along the way. For my part, I can assure you of my Government’s ongoing commitment to creating a society in which all our children can play, grow and learn in safe, secure and stimulating environments.
May I wish you all the very best.
Thank you.
ENDS.