Funding stopped for national play centre

THE GOVERNMENT has stopped funding the National Play Resource Centre, which was launched less than two years ago by the then minister for children Brian Lenihan.

At the time, he described the launch as a "key milestone" and said the centre would be an important catalyst for promoting play in Ireland.

The centre was set up and jointly run by the Irish Preschool Play Association (IPPA) and Súgradh, the charity promoting children's play.

Both agencies have criticised the decision to cease funding and called for a reversal of the decision.

Psychologists and educationalists have increasingly highlighted the importance of play and have warned that play deprivation could result in children becoming more violent.

The centre was set up arising from a recommendation in the National Play Policy, which said that play was underdeveloped in Ireland and expertise in the area was limited.

The centre gave guidance to local authorities in providing public play opportunities for children, and it also promoted awareness of the benefits of play and recreation. It employed one part-time worker.

The contract elapsed in March but, before it did, the Office of the Minister for Children (OMC)sought tenders for the provision of the centre with an expanded role to include work on teenage recreation.

The IPPA and Súgradh again made a joint tender, but a spokesman for the OMC said it "failed to meet the requirements of the proposal" and the tender was not awarded.

Irene Gunning, chief executive of the IPPA, said she was disappointed with the cancellation of funds. "We were really excited about this project. We have the history, expertise, passion and commitment to make it work. It's really, really disappointing news. We don't know what the Government is going to do."

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times