Contradicting many of the Government’s objectives and highlighting an unacceptable development strategy lacking in forward planning and joined-up thinking from the Department of Education and Skills, Department of Housing and the Department of Health.
There is much publicity at the moment surrounding the issues of childhood obesity and child and adolescent (as well as adult) mental health. Policies that leave schools without outside areas for play and sporting activities appear to directly undermine any initiatives directed at these two crises. This is why it is so important that areas for outside education and activity be preserved around schools.
There is no green or grassed area for the kids to play on in Our Lady's Grove. The last grassed area (fenced off since the build of the first phase of houses) on the grounds of Our Lady's Grove, has being sold to build more housing.
The importance of outdoor play cannot be overemphasised. Childhood obesity, and a lack of adequate exercise for children is a growing problem. As well as helping your physical health, being active is hugely important for your mental health. Being active improves mood, helps reduce stress and boosts energy levels.
The Get Ireland Active! National Physical Activity Plan was launched in 2016 by the then Minister for Health now Taoiseach-elect, Leo Varadkar. Together with Healthy Ireland - a framework for improved health and wellbeing, these Government-led initiatives show the importance the State is placing on providing facilities and supportive environments for activity.
The statistics, especially for children, are frightening:
- Only 19% of primary and 12% of post-primary school children meet the physical activity recommendations with girls less likely than boys to meet the recommendations and the likelihood of meeting the recommendations decreasing with increasing age;
- 10% of active sports participants at primary school have dropped out of sport by the first year of post-primary;
- One in four children are unfit, overweight or obese and have elevated blood pressure;
- Four out of five children in the Republic of Ireland are still not getting enough exercise, posing serious risks to their health and wellbeing.
How active should our children be?
On launching Get Ireland Active!, Minister Varadkar said: “This Plan is also a great example of joined-up Government involving the Departments of Health, Transport, Tourism & Sport, and Education & Skills. Too often, Government Departments and agencies work in silos but on this issue we are committing today to working together.”- The National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland state all children and young people (aged 2-18) should be active, at a moderate to vigorous level, for at least 60 minutes every day.
A great example of joined-up Government thinking! Clearly not!
Our Lady's Grove is one of the last schools in the area that has any sports grounds or land suitable for expansion. It is one of the few public primary schools and the only non fee-paying girls secondary school in our rapidly expanding community. Many housing developments have been planned and completed (including the large scale fast tracked development planned for Dundrum Central Mental Hospital).
If this land is saved for expansion to keep up with the demand for places and provide sporting facilities, our entire community and DLR Council could benefit as highlighted in this blog post about Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Sports Facilities Strategy.
“As part of the long term development of sporting facilities for the people of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown it is imperative that future opportunities be explored to develop joint owned, joint managed facilities between schools, clubs and the Council.”
Physical activity is a habit that begins in childhood. Why isn't the Government making provision for the coming generations of children in Goatstown by saving the lands around Our Lady’s Grove schools? Let's support Goatstown children so that they can enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing.
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Join the fight! We need to put a stop to the sale of land around our schools!
Sign our Petition, Like our Facebook Page, Follow us on TwitterContinue to engage with all DLR Councillors, T.D.'s and the Minister for Education on this urgent issue for our school and indeed all schools in DLR and beyond.
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