The government is pumping 6 million euro into outdoor play facilities to encourage children and families to spend the summer outside as restrictions ease.
The funding will come in the form of grants to childcare providers and local authorities.
Children have spent the past year and a half living under Covid 19 restrictions and now the government wants to give back.
The Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has announced the Summer of Play initiative.
It aims to encourage children and families to spend time outdoors as restrictions ease
The Department's providing €6 million for the scheme and will come in the form of two grants.
Minister O'Gorman explains:
"We're supporting childcare and school-age childcare facilities all across the country by giving them a grant."
"That'll allow them to buy equipment for outdoor play."
"We're also supporting every local authority around the country."
Today @rodericogorman announced the roll out of the Summer of Play initiative with €6 million in funding for outdoor play. Projects such as;
🌱sensory gardens
🚲learn to cycle tracks
🌳natural play trails
- will benefit from the funding.
Full info 👉https://t.co/ViNKq5kuvw pic.twitter.com/l3SNlhItcU— Green Party Ireland (@greenparty_ie) June 1, 2021
Groups Can Spend On New Or Upgraded Playgrounds
The money will be used by childcare providers to add or upgrade their current outdoor facilities.
While local authorities will use it to ensure that playgrounds are safe and inclusive for all children.
People can also use it for projects such as sensory gardens, learn to cycle tracks, and natural play trails.
Chair of Seas Suas, which represents independent childcare providers in Ireland, Regina Bushell, says play is so important for children:
"For their wellbeing, their social activity and their creativity."
She continues, "there are some great resources at Let's Play at gov.ie for parents and families."
Delighted to launch the Summer of Play initiative, with €6m in funding going towards the development of outdoor play areas. ⛹️🌳
We want to support children and their families to get outside, play and have fun this summer. 🪁☀️
https://t.co/6jtOG40QvJ pic.twitter.com/kE7bZUShYQ— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) June 1, 2021
The Minister also announced a resource for families to support their children’s play - Let’s Play Ireland.
