3rd January 2002

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Government Should Underwrite Playground Insurance - Wood

Sinn Fein representative in Mayo Vincent Wood has called for a special fund to be established to cover the cost of public liability insurance for children's playgrounds. He was speaking following claims that the cost of public liability insurance is the main reason why Councils are not providing such essential facilities.

Mr. Wood said:

``With towns getting bigger and roads getting busier children's playgrounds are absolutely essential. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Ireland is a party to, children have a right to them,"

``According to a report in 1999, the ratio of playgrounds to people was over 19,000 to each one while there was one golf course for every 16,000. This shows that our social priorities have become distorted.

``This barrier to providing our children with areas to play must be removed. The government should invest in our children and help local authorities overcome these costs.'' He said.

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