Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced the recipients of this year’s Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, with a total of €600,000 awarded to 30 Local Authorities across the country to improve the facilities they offer to children and young people in their area.
The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation supports the work of Local Authorities in improving access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities. This can be through the refurbishment and upgrade of existing facilities or through the development of new ones. The scheme offers funding of up to €22,000 per project, an investment that will see positive impacts delivered to children and families across the country.
Monaghan County Council was awarded the maximum available amount of €22,000 to create a teen hangout area in Emyvale. This comes on the back of an application made by the Community Development Unit following consultation with the local young people last year, where the need for somewhere to meet up and hang out with friends was identified as a priority.
Monaghan Municipal District will now move to deliver the project, which will be located beside the existing playground, before the end of 2026. The amenity will include a shelter, seating, usb charging points and kinetic speaker which will enable young people to connect their phones and play music.