asked the Minister for Education if his Department have adopted a specific policy towards the effects of competitive sport on young children; and, if so, the steps taken to promote such a policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Competitive Sports Effects.
11.
In March 1979 my Department published the report of a study group on the effects of competitive sport on young children in Ireland. This report has been circulated among all national bodies of sport. In general I am in favour of the recommendations made in the report.
What steps has the Minister of State taken to implement that report?
I am assuming that the Deputy is familiar with the recommendations and we gather from them that it would not be possible for me or any other Minister to direct that any one of the recommendations should be put into effect immediately. Rather were the recommendations a combination of exhortations and logical statements on the position of young people in sport. Arising from that I have had consultations with community games organisations, mini-sport organisations and all bodies so involved, asking them to take note of the contents of the report, copies of which I have sent to them. I know that the Deputy will accept that as being as much as we can do in the circumstances.