asked the Minister for Education if young children up to the age of 12 years are prohibited from participating in sporting activities sponsored by Comhairle le Leas Óige; and, if so, if he will initiate legislation to remove this impediment to their participation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Comhairle le Leas Óige.
15.
Under their present constitution, Comhairle le Leas Óige caters for young people of 12 years of age and upwards.
As regards the under 12 age group, apart from school based activities outside normal school hours, bodies such as scouts and girl guides, the Catholic Youth Council and various sporting bodies have special sections for those aged seven and older.
Certain other voluntary organisations also cater for this younger age group.
At present new policies in relation to youth and sport are being formulated. The necessity for new or amending legislation will be considered in relation to those policies.
Comhairle le Leas Óige, being a sub-committee of the Dublin Vocational Education Committee, are subject to the provision of the Vocational Education Committee, are subComhairle's role will be considered in the context of general policy.
The Parliamentary Secretary must be aware of the difficulty experienced by voluntary organisations who cater for children of 12 years and upwards when they are approached by children of, say, 11 years who must be sent home. This is a somewhat recent development and one that may not have been envisaged at the time of the coming into being of the Act. Is there any way in which the Parliamentary Secretary could ensure that children younger than 12 years would be catered for simultaneously in the same areas in which those of 12 years and upwards are playing?
Where it is proposed to lay on an activity designed specifically for children younger than 12 years, there can be a problem in that they would not appear to come within the ambit of the Act. However, if those children who are younger than 12 can be provided for within the ambit of the service being provided for those in the older age group and who come within the Vocational Education Act, I do not think any difficulty arises. However, if the Deputy can furnish me with any information on that matter, I shall be glad to have it.
I suggest that the Parliamentary Secretary check with the Ballyfermot Sports Federation who have this difficulty of not being able to cater for the children in the younger age group although they have the facilities required.
If the Ballyfermot Sports Federation are envisaging activities in respect of which they would be seeking aid and which are designed specifically for children younger than 12, this difficulty may well arise but I am having the overall question examined and am seeking legal advice to ascertain what is the position of Comhairle le Leas Óige in this matter.