For every child
Health, Education, Equality, Protection
ADVANCE HUMANITY
For every child
Galway as a child friendly city
www.galway.ie/
The City of Galway, on the West coast of Ireland, started a process towards a more child-friendly city with the drafting of the 1999 City Development Plan. The plan was based on an inventory of existing facilities and services for children and youth and a questionnaire to community groups, schools and children. The main conclusions were that the city does have insufficient play areas and that there was a general concern for the safety of children in their neighbourhood and when travelling to school. The plan contains one of the very few written policies on children’s play produced by a local authority in Ireland. The purpose of the present study is to suggest how this aspiration could become a reality and it is intended as a discussion document rather than a prescriptive plan. The study is in line with the National Children’s Strategy (see section "Good practices") launched by the government in November 2000. The study is divided in four parts. The first part provides a background to guiding a debate about children’s issues in Galway. The methodology of the study is outlined. The historical and legislative background to play provision in Ireland is introduced. The second part provides a profile of Galway City in terms of the size and distribution of the child population, the relevant policies and the existing facilities provided by the Corporation. The third part analyses the returns from 170 questionnaires sent out to community and youth organizations and schools throughout the city by the Corporation. The final section outlines some of the ways in which Galway can become a child friendly city.
Contact
Richard Webb & Associated
Springfields, Hollybrook Bray
Ireland
Email rwebb@indigo.ie
This study has been produced for the Louth Council Community and Enterprise Department and the Committee for a Child – Friendly Community as a response to the lack of children’s playgrounds in Drogheda. The study will help Drogheda Borough Council to implement the recommendation of the National Children’s Strategy (searchable by title in this database) and the RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme. The study examined key documents relatign to Borough Council policies on open spaces and amenity, social surveys, including background material to the RAPID Programme and an overview of open spaces in the town. The policies and objectives of the Council, as set out in the 1999 Development Plan were also examined. Play is vital to the balanced development of the child. Investment in play is essential to provide a focus for tackling social exclusion through community development, providing for children’s creative, physical and social development within a safe and secure environment and reducing the involvement of children and young people in anti-social behaviour, in the short term; and improving social cohesion in the longer term. The study also outlines some of the ways in which Drogheda can become child-friendly. A child-friendly town approach involves providing a range of play and recreational opportunities, improved public and child safety and involving young people in making decisions about Drogheda that affect them. Issues of insurance and public liability can be tackled through having play areas designed, installed and maintained to the relevant standards. Advice and training on these issues is now available in Ireland. A priority programme is outlined with an indication of the probable costs. Seven areas of the town have been included under the RAPID Programme for the improvement of urban infrastructurea and the aims of this programme is outlined.
Contact
Richard Webb & Associated
Springfields, Hollybrook Bray
Ireland
Email rwebb@indigo.ie
Súgradh is a registered charity providing support and a national forum for the promotion of play opportunities for children in Ireland. Súgradh provides advice on play for the school-aged child and on developing playgrounds and play services. It carries out research on play provision and run workshops and seminars on aspects of play. The aim of Súgradh is to promote and protect children's play as a fundamental human right of all children in Ireland. The guiding principle of Súgradh is that play provision and play services should be child centred with equality of access and provision for all children. Membership is open to any individual, group or organisation which endorses Súgradh's commitment to the child's right to play. Members include children's organisations, play providers, local authorities and individuals. Súgradh is a member of the International Association for the Child's Right to Play (IPA), the European Network on Children's Play and the European Network of Child-Friendly Cities.
Contact
Súgradh
Springfield, Ballywaltrim Lane
Bray, Co. Wicklow
Ireland
Telephone (+353) 01-2866991
Email sugradh@indigo.ie
