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Laois Comhairle na nÓg Call For Safe Outdoor Space For Young People

Thursday, 4 December 2025 16:21

Photo credit:downtownportlaoise.ie

Their survey shows lack of safe social outdoor spaces is keeping young people on their phones.

Young people in the Midlands are struggling to find safe spaces to relax in the open air.

It's one of the findings of a Comhairle na nÓg survey in Laois.

The 1,000 responses, which accounts for 25% of all secondary students in the county also found young people believe the lack of a safe social outdoor space is an obstruction to children staying off their phones.

Last June, Comhairle na nOg successfully secured a €125,000 grant to build a special hangout space for teens called Giving Young People the Sun, Moon and Stars Portlaoise People's Park.

Coordinator of the organisation, Rosemary Kunene says young people want to interact without their phones:

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