Vol. 537 No. 4
28 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the way in which to encourage more participation in sports; the discussions he has had with the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Health and Children, the local authorities and the community sector in this regard; and if he will make a statement of the need for a multifaceted approach to this most vital issue. [14571/01]
29 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the need for a strategy to have county sports persons interact with primary schools to promote a healthy sporting image; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14570/01]
160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the extent to which he is currently assisting in the promotion of recreational activities in schools and for young people generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16439/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29 and 160 together.
Among the main functions of the Irish Sports Council, which was established on a statutory basis from 1 July 1999, is the promotion of increased participation in recreational sport and the achievement of excellence in sport in Ireland. The council supports and assists a wide range of programmes and initiatives through the national governing bodies of sport and other organisations and agencies in meeting its responsibilities in these areas.
The Government and the social partners in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness supported the establishment of local sports partnerships as a further means of creating sustainable sports development infrastructure at local level and in increasing participation in sport. I am pleased that eight pilot local sports partnerships were announced by the sports council earlier this month. An immediate priority for each partnership will be the creation of a local sports strategy. All of the key agencies, which resource and sustain local sport, will be involved in the development and delivery of the local sports strategy. Agencies that have already contributed to the development of this initiative at national level include: vocational education committees, local authorities, health boards and FÁS. Their representatives will engage at local level with the third level sector, commercial interests, sports clubs-organisations, schools, facility operators and voluntary-community groups to ensure that each local sports partnership delivers quality opportunities to everyone at local level. I expect that involvement of local sports stars as role models will be amongst the initiatives to be considered.
The sports council is also co-operating with the Department of Education and Science in relation to improving the position of sport in schools in conjunction with the development of new physical education curricula being introduced.
In addition, my Department continues to provide substantial funding under its capital programmes to assist organisations, clubs, community groups and local authorities in the provision of sport and recreational facilities to cater for a broad spectrum of sports and activities, for all levels of participation, at national, regional and local levels throughout the country.
My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, has established a cross-sectoral task force on sport at primary school level. The Departments and agencies identified by Deputy Keaveney are represented on this group.
