Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The development of the play and recreation policy is an important objective for my Department in view of the positive social and developmental impact of play in the lives of children and young people and its significance in promoting healthy lifestyles. In that regard, research indicates that some 25% of three year olds are either obese or overweight.

National play and recreation policies are implemented by local authorities. Many of the latter have developed world-class recreational facilities and integrated play plans which benefit thousands of children. I am, from the point of view of my Department's remit, trying to encourage a joined-up approach to the development and use of the extensive range of facilities available throughout the country. In February I established the first ever national local authority play and recreation network, which brings together key personnel responsible for local authorities' play and recreation policies. It was extremely interesting to meet staff from the various local authorities and watch them sharing their experiences in the context of developing facilities for children and local communities and learning from each other. That is the benefit of the network.

To date, the network has taken initiatives to promote and expand national play day and national recreation week. Deputies will be aware that when specific activities are arranged for children and families, thousands of people attend. I witnessed thousands of families availing of facilities in Corkagh Park in my constituency when a little bit more was done to try to attract them by providing a range of activities in particular weeks. The network aims to improve co-ordination between local authorities and to provide training and share information in order to facilitate the development of staff expertise. For example, this year some 25 local authorities participated this year in national play day and the events surrounding it. This placed a focus on the kind of activities with which families need to be provided. Plans in train for national recreation week 2012, which will be held at the end of October.

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