Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced €400,000 to deliver new recreational spaces tailored to teenagers. The schemes will offer safe, attractive spots for meeting friends, spending time outdoors and engaging in unstructured play, with features such as all-weather shelters, comfortable seating, appropriate lighting and accessible design.

Minister Foley said: "I am delighted to announce four new teenage specific recreational spaces under the 'Making Spaces for and with Teenagers Initiative.' This will provide our young people with opportunities to meet and spent time together in a place they can call their own. There are innovative features such as music speakers, work-out equipment, football tables, table tennis tables, an in-ground trampoline suitable for wheelchairs and even designs suitable for parkour movements.

"Young people have played a key role in the development and evaluation of these recreational spaces. That is as it should be. It is wonderful to see this project grow and expand to more areas around Ireland."

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) has secured Dormant Accounts and National Development Plan funding for the rollout, following the successful 2025 pilot, Making Places for and with Teenagers. All four successful applicants will receive €100,000 and were designed in consultation with young people to reflect their needs. The evaluation process included representation from the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive.

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Longford County Council's ESPACE will create an inclusive outdoor area at the front of the Green in Edgeworthstown, with sheltered zones, seating, lighting and accessible layouts, plus low-impact exercise equipment. The design emphasises accessibility and inclusion, with easy movement for all users and quieter areas for relaxation or sensory needs.

Westmeath County Council's Teen Zone at Athlone RSC Fitness Park will provide a safe, appealing place to meet and support both physical activity and mental wellbeing. Amenities will include social seating that particularly appeals to teenage girls, calisthenics equipment and a music post, alongside football tables, an in-ground wheelchair-accessible trampoline and an accessible swing.

Waterford City and County Council will deliver the first dedicated Teenage Hangout Space in County Waterford at Carrickphierish Recreation Park. The plan includes an open hangout zone, scattered informal seating, sheltered areas with minimal physical facilities, music speaker posts, a soft-bond rubber surface and a layout suitable for parkour movements.

Mayo County Council's Friary Grounds Teen Zone in Ballyhaunis will offer a place to congregate and shelter, facilities to play music and table tennis, durable surfacing and passive lighting.

Local authorities, working with their local Comhairle na nÓg youth councils, were invited to submit proposals addressing teenage recreational needs up to a maximum of €100,000, with 25% matched funding required from each authority. The total funding available was €400,000.

According to Census 2022, there are almost 500,000 children aged 12–18 in Ireland. A DCDE-commissioned report, Play and Recreation Provision for Children and Adolescents: A National Review for Ireland 2024, finds adolescents (12–18 years) are clearly under-resourced for play and recreation compared with children aged 0–11, of whom there are around 787,000.

Provision for younger children has improved markedly in recent years, with approximately 960 playgrounds now across 31 councils, compared with 1999 when 47% of local authorities provided no play facilities. For older children and teens, there are currently 171 council-owned multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and 59 skate parks nationwide.