Calls for playground in Meath village fall flat as council cites lack of funding
Calls have been made for Meath County Council to begin planning a new community playground in the centre of Donacarney — but the council has confirmed it currently has no funding to advance the project.
The proposal was brought forward by Fianna Fáil councillor Stephen McKee at the December meeting of Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District.
He asked the local authority to “immediately begin planning and preparing for the provision of a community playground on Council-owned land in the centre of Donacarney.”
However, in its response, Meath County Council said there is no funding to develop a playground in Donacarney.
“This location can be considered in the future if funding becomes available. However, with no resources available currently, the council is not in a position to commence the planning as requested,” the local authority said.
The absence of a public playground in Donacarney has been a long-standing issue for local families, with residents regularly highlighting the growing population of young children in the area and the lack of nearby amenities.
“There is a lack of facilities in Donacarney, which has grown significantly. Families have to go to Bettystown, which is a fair trek,” Cllr McKee said. “This is something that is regularly brought up to me. It is, in my view, a priority.”
Sinn Féin councillor Maria White supported the motion, saying that in areas like Donacarney, there is "practically nothing to do.”