“We can’t have the haves and the have-nots” declares Laois councillor

A Laois public representative has called for a level playing pitch for rural Ireland when making a call for a community in his local area to get a playground. 

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, made the comments when he tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to provide a playground in Ballacolla.

Anne Marie Maher, the Laois Sport & Leisure Officer, replied in writing that the council would support it but could not provide it as requested. 

“Where public playgrounds have been provided in recent years, these have been developed by the local community in an area with the assistance of external grant aid, rather than by direct provision by the Council.  

“For its part the Council, when a public community playground is completed, assists through safety inspections for insurance purposes,” she said. 

Cllr Clooney said he was ‘a bit disappointed that a voluntary effort is called upon.

“We can’t have the haves and have-nots in rural Ireland. We have to have a level playing pitch,” he said.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, said all council members would fully support the proposal.

“A village that size is very much entitled to a playground,” he said.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, supported. While he said the council is very supportive of community playground plans, he said there is a lot of work.

“The biggest difficulty is trying to provide a site,” he said.

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He advised that the community form a committee and get Ms Maher involved which he said is very helpful. He said funds are available but fundraising would also be needed.

The matter was raised at the April Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting.