Dr James Reilly, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has today
announced that he has requested his department to review its funding
arrangements to take account of the Tobacco Free Ireland policy. The
Minister made the announcement as he sanctioned payments of €250,000 for
children’s play and recreation projects across Ireland. 19 local
authorities will benefit from funding for projects under the Capital Grant
Scheme for Play and Recreation for new and innovative play and recreation
projects and the improvement of existing facilities. “Play and recreation
are fundamental to the development of children and young people. They also
contribute to their creativity and wellbeing” said Minister Reilly.
The projects, funded by the Department, include the refurbishment and
development of six urban, suburban and public housing play areas in Dublin
city; the provision of new, accessible equipment for a playground built in
the 1970’s in Athy; the creation of an innovative, natural playground
spaces and outdoor learning environments in Tyrrelstown; the development of
a recreational space and multi-use games area for children and teenagers in
Newcastle West; and the development of several playgrounds and recreational
spaces from green field sites.
Minister Reilly said in future, applications for funding will face an
additional criterion related to Tobacco Free Ireland. “The Government has
made clear its intention to progress policies that reduce the prevalence of
smoking amongst all ages. I have made a particular point of stressing the
need to stop children from ever starting to smoke in the first place and we
pursue a policy of attempting to de-normalise smoking for young people. For
that reason in future I will request that funding for projects such as
children’s playgrounds will be contingent on the relevant local authority
implementing a policy of ensuring the projects are no smoking areas. The
importance of de-normalising smoking in the eyes of children can’t be over
emphasised.”
“My Department worked closely with the Local Authority Play and Recreation
Network to develop criteria to focus this year’s Capital Grant Scheme for
Play and Recreation on projects, which are inclusive, accessible, safe and
take into account the views of children and young people”, added the
Minister.
Meanwhile Professor Luke Clancy, the Director General of the Tobacco Free
Research Institute Ireland, welcomed the review of funding arrangements
saying that “it should help to further de-normalise smoking while
preventing exposure to second hand smoke and prevention of litter which
research from TFRI had shown was a benefit of Fingal Co Council going
smoke-free in its parks”.
The Minister noted that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA)
Play and Recreation Capital Grants Scheme was oversubscribed and extremely
competitive. Successful applications were those that best met the criteria
developed for Scheme. Matched funding is being provided in each case by the
relevant Local Authority.
“I would like to thank all of those who applied for funding under this
Scheme, and to pay tribute to the commitment of the community groups and
Local Authorities who are working together to improve the quality of the
play and recreation facilities available to children and young people in
Ireland",concluded Minister Reilly.