A YOUTH development centre in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, where local youngsters can stable and care for their horses, is to be built at a cost of £2.1 million, with the help of local communities, the horse industry and local authorities.
The centre is to be built on an 11.2 acre site, which has been given by Dublin Corporation, beside Wheatfield Prison.
The brainchild of the Cherry Orchard Link Project and the Ballyfermot Partnership, the project has the backing of FAS and the Racing Club of Ireland.
The centre will provide an outlet for young people who are at risk of turning to crime, early schoolleavers, long term unemployed and other jobless.
Of 1,200 homes surveyed in one area, it was found that 40 households owned a horse and in all there were 120 horses in the area. The ages of the owners ranged from five to adults but most horses were owned by youngsters from 10 to 18.
Mr Kieran O'Brien, of Murray O'Brien and Associates, consultants to the project, said the centre should provide a solution to the problem of urban horse ownership in the area.