Community Gardens Ireland committee members were disappointed to see that no action was present to support school gardens, community gardens and allotments in the Draft Programme for Government, published yesterday.

These key spaces have been proven to help mitigate climate change, but also act as biodiversity havens in urban areas. Along with environmental benefits, these spaces connect people to food, help with social inclusion, provide evidence-based benefits to mental and physical health, and improve villages, towns and spaces for all members of the community.

Before the 2024 General Election, Community Gardens Ireland contacted all sitting TDs, Senators and political parties to make them aware of our GROW2030 General Election manifesto, which called for all communities to have a space to grow by 2030. We highlighted how Ireland has one of the lowest number of allotments and community gardens in Europe, and how all political parties and governments need to do more to provide these spaces.

2025 marks 100 years since the first allotment bill by Thomas Johnson was debated on the floor of the Dáil to help combat food insecurity, so this is a clear missed opportunity for the upcoming government to help communities, assist with climate adaptation and help combat biodiversity loss.

For more details on this, contact info@cgireland.org