Dr. Naomi Feely:

For the Children's Rights Alliance, thinking about play in an integrated way is critical. We are not just thinking about green spaces and playgrounds, but about how we plan our cities. I read one report about the development of the Cork development plan during which they consulted children. It was not just children thinking about play in terms of whether they can go to a playground. Children and young people tend to be engaged around climate action. They looked at such things as integrating bicycle lanes in the streetscape so that they are not only getting access to recreation but also improving the amenities for everyone in the community. Therefore, the Deputy's point about how we use school buildings to access after-school care and enabling children to participate in play is critical. What we would like to see in a national play policy is a holistic consideration of the issue so that we are thinking about all aspects of our community and where we can facilitate play and integrate it within planning and within the community.