Portlaoise teenagers to get €125,000 'safe' hangout in public park

Laois teenagers are to get a €125,000 'safe' new hangout at the People's Park in Portlaoise.

The Government has awarded the money to Laois County Council to build a special space for teens called Giving Young People the Sun, Moon and Stars, in the park on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise.

The grant money comes from dormant accounts for a project called Making Spaces for and with Teenagers, and Laois has won one of the highest allocations in Ireland.  

Laois County Council had worked with the young elected members of Laois Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council) to submit a project to address the recreational needs of teenagers.

Based in the Peoples’ Park in Portlaoise, there will be a new area constructed to provide a meeting space for teenagers "where they can hang out together and carry out activities in good and safe facilities".

Clive Davis is the Regional Director of Youthwork Ireland Laois. He said the facility is badly needed.

"It's very important. Young people are being removed from public spaces all the time. As teenagers we know we all gathered outdoors as friends to do things but now groups are told to leave. 

"This will be a space where they can go and be themselves. Not every young person is into sport and there is a serious lack of spaces in Laois and in Portlaoise for young people to go.

"I hope it will be respected by everybody. If the council continue to engage with young people, they will feel it's theirs and take ownership and mind it," he said.

There is still a lack of funding for youths in Laois however, Mr Davis adds.

He said that a lack of volunteers and of funding, means that the Portlaoise Youth Café is closed in the evenings and at weekends when it is badly needed. 

The café, next to Subway on the James Fintan Lalor Avenue, is only open during office hours, when staff are working there. It includes foosball and pool tables and comfy seating and kitchen facilities.

"We can't afford to open it, it's awful. We are looking for volunteers every single day, it we had enough we could launch a Portlaoise Youth club again," he said. 

He said that they provide all the training, and child protection and Garda vetting paperworks.

See below story for how to volunteer.

Meanwhile Laois TDs have welcomed the grant announcement for Portlaoise teens.

Deputy Sean Fleming said that the grant is "welcome news for teenagers".

"I want to thank all involved for making such an excellent application," he said.

Deputy Willie Aird notes that a total of €500,000 in funding for new recreational spaces for teenagers was announced by Government with €125,000 of that going to Laois.

Read More: Full list of 139 Laois community groups sharing €165,000 in grants

The Government says that "it is recognised that more play and recreation amenities, such as social ‘hang out’ spaces and multi use games areas (MUGAs), are required for teenagers due to the increase in population and lower number of facilities".

Monaghan County Council also won the maximum €125,000 for a Clones Teen Haven. County Council in Leitrim, Carlow, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Donegal County Council and Kerry each received €50,000.

There are almost 500,000 children aged 12-18 in Ireland, according to Census 2022.

Dep Aird states that "teenagers are acknowledged to be at a distinct social disadvantage when it comes to enjoying their right to play and recreation". 

Ireland now has about 960 playgrounds in 31 councils for young children under 12, but only 171 council-owned multi-use games areas and 59 skate parks designed for older children aged 12-18.

Contact Youthwork Ireland Laois to volunteer by emailing info@ywilaois.com or phone 057 8665010