Parents are shunning costly activities and taking their children to playgrounds instead, it has been claimed.

Writing in the Irish Times, Mary Kirwan said that high unemployment rates mean many families no longer have the money to pay for their youngsters to attend creches and activity centres.

"Play is vital for children and the playgrounds in our parks are one free resource open to parents struggling to come up with day-to-day options," she commented.

Ms Kirwan also noted that outdoor play areas have come a long way in recent years, with many having received considerable investment, such as the Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght, which was opened earlier this year.

Park supervisor Bill Kearney said there has been a definite increase in the number of people making use of the new facility.

A recent study by the National Trust in the UK revealed that 79 per cent of children would like to play outside more often.

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