Minister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has called on Galway County Council to allocate some of its increased Local Property Tax funding to the provision of new or upgrading of existing playgrounds around the county.
Following the Government’s approval of an increased allocation of over €5.7 million to Galway County Council in September 2023 to its Local Property Tax (LPT ) baseline funding for 2024, Minister Rabbitte is looking for some of this funding to be put towards playground works around Galway, to include either the development of new playgrounds or upgrading of existing playgrounds.
Galway County Council’s baseline is increasing from €14,517,890 in 2023 to €20,309,071 in 2024, which is an increase of €5,791,180.
Minister Anne Rabbitte said she is delighted that party colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has ensured that an extra €5.7 million is being allocated to Galway for this year, which is most welcome.
“I’m sure there are a raft of potential measures that the additional funding could be considered for. It’s a good thing that we’re looking at where to expand investment, rather than curtail it.
“An ongoing issue raised with me is the need for upgrades to playgrounds around the county. The reality is that there are many playgrounds in Galway built with funding from various community grant programmess but the majority of this work was finished ten to fifteen years ago, which means the vast bulk of the playground equipment needs to be improved or replaced entirely. By upgrading the playgrounds, it insures that playgrounds have the highest safety standards for our young people and families, as well as being accessible for all.
She said that many communities across Galway, including the community of Eyrecourt lack playground facilities for their youth. This community has a rising population and the rise of tourists visiting the area via the Blueway.
“I believe that Galway County Council should provide growing communities such as Eyrecourt with the facility of a community playground and also upgrade the existing playgrounds across Galway,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.
