I intended to raise the lack of child psychological services in my constituency of North Kildare, but news that Kildare County Council intends to close the playground in Kilcock next week, for 18 months, has me seeking urgent intervention. This playground is a lifeline to children and families, particularly children with additional needs, because it proactively and inclusively provides a temporary breather for these children while they are waiting for services. These families, and local schools whose autism spectrum disorder units also use the playground, are absolutely raging and the children are distraught. The whole community is shaking its head that Kildare County Council did not seek to relocate the playground while this was ongoing. We have a poor history of the treatment of children in this country. Where is the best interest of the child principle here? There will be no holiday for many of these children this year due to lack of money. Many children do not have gardens. What are they going to do when they cannot be brought to the playground? I urge the Tánaiste to get involved, contact Kildare County Council and tell it to stop this madness.

This is a matter for Kildare County Council rather than central government, but the closure of a playground for 18 months, without any alternative arrangements being made, sounds a very long time. It is not a matter over which we have any jurisdiction, but I will certainly make inquiries and ask Kildare County Council to look again at its plans.