asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce legislation governing safety in sports, similar to the Act recently passed in Quebec; if he keeps a record of the number of persons injured or killed each year while participating in sporting activities and if he has satisfied himself that all voluntary sports have adequate authority at present to prevent avoidable injuries within their sports in all cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Safety in Sports.
8.
I do not propose to introduce legislation governing safety in sports at the present time.
A record of the number of persons injured or killed while participating in sports activities is not kept in my Department. However, Cospóir, the National Sports Council, at my request, are at present reviewing the problem of sports injuries in the context of sports medicine.
I am not aware of any sports organisations who have not taken adequate steps to ensure that acceptable safety standards are enforced to prevent avoidable injuries within their sports.
How can the Minister satisfy himself that legislation is not necessary if he does not even keep a record of the number of injuries? Will the Minister ask Cospóir to keep such a record?
Thank God that the incidence of death in sport is so small that one can keep the data in one's head. If the Deputy has any information that I do not have——
I am talking about injuries.
The question referred to people killed.
The question refers to people who are injured or killed.
Thank God we do not have to set up a Department or section to keep data on the numbers killed. We are familiar with the position governing injuries and we have taken appropriate steps in that matter.
Can the Minister indicate if Cospóir advise sports bodies such as, say, the rugby body in Ireland, about the dangers and accidents which have arisen in each sport? Do they recommend changes in rules to ensure that players will be less open to serious injury and death? Is he aware that a doctor recently made a public statement on the dangers of playing rugby and is Cospóir involved in examining these problems?
The function of Cospóir is to advise me and we are reluctant to interfere at any stage with the voluntary status of our sporting organisations. I have faith enough in the rugby union, the GAA and such bodies to take appropriate action where necessary. However, we consult with them where necessary. Personally, I have indicated to members of the rugby union my concern about the number of injuries that have occurred during rugby games in the recent past and I am happy to note that they are as concerned as I am in this regard.
Has the Minister any intention of setting up a fund for the provision of special coaching by the different sporting organisations in view of the fact that many injuries are due to a lack of coaching?
As I have indicated, I have asked Cospóir to review this question and arising out of that we shall be making suggestions to organisations as to how best they may co-operate with us in keeping injuries, and indeed deaths, at an absolute minimum.
Can the Minister tell us the date on which Cospóir were asked for a report on sports injuries and also when that report can be expected and if it will be published?
I do not have details of the precise date on which I asked for a report and I am sure the Deputy would not expect me to have such details here. However, he may rest assured that Cospóir have been asked for a report and as they are not an organisation who delay unnecessarily, I am confident of receiving their report shortly.
Will it be made public?
If necessary, but it will be made public to those associations that would seem to be concerned with this question.