‘Child distraction spaces’ to be established in Irish courts

'Child distraction spaces' to be established in Irish courts

Paschal Donohoe

A project to install child distraction spaces in Irish courts has secured support through a new innovation fund.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe yesterday confirmed that the Courts Service would receive €10,000 from the new Public Service Innovation Fund set up under the Our Public Service 2020 framework.

The Courts Service said the installation of child distraction spaces “is a small but impactful step to reducing the stress of people who are attending court with children”.

The service added: “This project involves taking a user-centred approach, collaborating directly with service users, or with advocacy groups who support them.

“The funding will be used to purchase suitable decals and sensory boards to create approximately 40 child distraction spaces.

“If successful, this project can be applied to any office that has wall space in public waiting areas and has the potential to have meaningful impact on a larger scale.”

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