Mayo County Council officials gave an undertaking to ensure that all playgrounds in the county are suitable for children with special needs. Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway Walsh put forward a motion at this month’s meeting of the council calling on the body to “make certain the provision of new equipment and the adaptation of existing playgrounds, so that children with disabilities are not discriminated against in the county.”
The Belmullet based representative told the meeting, “This issue has been brought to my attention by a number of people and it’s one that can be fixed with relative ease. I’d like to see an audit carried out as soon as possible and the work carried out.” Supporting the motion, Castlebar area Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin said this was a very worthy motion and that no child should be unable to use these facilities because of any special need. He also asked that the council ensure that all playgrounds that are in town council areas in Westport, Castlebar, and Ballina also be inspected and brought up to scratch, not just those in the county council’s area.
