Communication boards on the way for local playgrounds

Communication boards are expected to soon be installed in each of the 12 playgrounds across the Fermoy Municipal District, with playgrounds in this district to be included in a tender process for the supply and installation of such boards.

News of the new communication boards for local playgrounds comes following motions tabled by Councillor William O’Leary, who again raised the matter at Tuesday’s Fermoy MD meeting.

Municipal District Officer, Pauline Moriarty, updated elected members on the topic, noting that Fermoy has been included with another Municipal District that is going to tender for the communication boards.

According to Ms Moriarty, the cost is approximately €700 per playground, amounting to a total of €8,400 for the boards to be installed across the district. It was proposed that the boards be funded via the Town Development Fund, of which there is €60,500 unallocated.

Cllr William O’Leary said he was ‘delighted’ with the news of local playgrounds set to receive the boards, which will allow those who are non-verbal or who struggle with communication to use them to communicate by pointing to pictures.

“This is a small gesture that will go a hell of a long way to generate a serious amount of goodwill. It’s not just raising awareness around people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), but it’s raising awareness around those who have all sorts of communication barriers,” Cllr O’Leary said.

Local councillors supported the motion and it was agreed that the communication boards would be funded through the Town Development Fund.