I would like to thank the Cathaoirleach and the Members of Seanad Éireann for providing me with this opportunity to discuss Irish sport and to share our views and opinions on this area which is central to the lives of the people in Ireland.
The development of Irish sport has now reached a critical and exciting juncture as we review and critically analyse progress to date and put in place our plans and vision for the future.
Modern sport is facing many challenges and is experiencing radical and fundamental changes. Sport came into the ownership of the ordinary person about 100 years ago and, indeed, most of our sports organisations, structures, rules and regulations were introduced and codified around that time. In general terms, sport has continued to expand and flourish in a relatively stable environment over that period, but in the last few years it has experienced what can only be called a revolution.
Many of the old traditions and practices have been questioned and overturned. New pressures and demands have had to be faced from within sport itself. Major external forces such as the influx of money and the demands of international media have resulted in sport having to cope with an entirely new environment of professionalism and commercial realities. All this means that sport and its organisations and structures must be strengthened, organised and co-ordinated so that it can effectively operate in this rapidly changing environment.
The needs of the high performers, the demands of the international media, the expectations of the public, the urgent requirement to retain the core principles of ethics and fair play in the face of such pressure and the essential role of the volunteer in sport must all be addressed and balanced in our present day sports provision.
Sport needs its heroes and its champions. Young people and children, in particular, need the role models and the stats who will inspire and encourage them to succeed in their chosen sports. Our top elite athletes, individuals and teams must be given every opportunity to develop and to achieve at the highest levels of national and international sport. The ordinary person who just wants to take part in sport for fun, for recreation or for socialisation must also be provided with the means of taking part and of achieving a level of participation or achievement appropriate to his or her wishes and abilities. The increased participation in sport and physical recreation of all our people, young and old, must remain at the very core of our interventions and inspire our policies.
Sport plays many roles in our society. Success at national and international competition excites the interest of our communities and our nation; thankfully, we have had many examples of that in recent years. Success raises morale, enhances national prestige and provides great entertainment and enjoyment. Regular participation in sport provides personal enrichment and rewarding social experiences as well as the benefits for the mental and physical well being of the individual and the nation. It provides an identity and a sense of unity of common purposes for our towns, villages and communities in every part of the country.
Sport can play a unique role in combating drug abuse and crime by providing young people with interesting and challenging opportunities and counteracting the problems of isolation and social exclusion. I am convinced that sport, recreation and youth services are the greatest preventative element in the fight against crime and drugs for young people. Resources invested in sport is money well spent and prevents the need for even greater investment in prisons, prison officers and gardaí, as well as health services, but most importantly it reduces the level of human misery and heartache.
Sport also plays a key role in our economy. My Department published the results of a study, "The Economic Impact of Sport in Ireland", some years ago. This report highlighted the major contribution which sport plays in the economic life of our country in terms of investment, employment, goods and services, as well as income from tourists coming to Ireland for sport and recreation.
Employment in sports activity is in excess of 11,000 both full-time and part-time personnel, representing more than 8,000 full-time jobs. When the media, travel and tourism in sport are added, this figure increases to an estimated 18,200 full-time equivalent jobs. Sport and its related activities account for around £560 million or more than 2 per cent of GDP.
When all these factors are taken into account, when the demands and complexities of modern sport are appreciated and when one realises the range of benefits which participation in sport brings to our community, it is clear that sport requires to be taken on board as a serious and essential area of national provision.
Sport development can no longer be left to drift along in a loose, unco-ordinated fashion. It is too important and too complex for that. On becoming Minister with responsibility for sport and youth services, I was struck by the fact that there was no clear or coherent plan for the development of Irish sport. While a great amount of excellent work was being done and the funding of sports organisations and the provision of facilities had significantly advanced over the last couple of decades, it was clear that a national strategy for the future was long overdue. Therefore, over 12 months ago I appointed Olympic medallist, John Treacy, to chair a sports strategy group which set about the preparation of a national sports plan which would help map the road ahead for the next ten years or so. The reason I did so was the fragmented and disjointed approach to sport. I wanted a new plan to ensure that funding for sport was used to its optimum value; that attractive opportunities would exist for participation in sport and so that avenues were open for sports people to develop their talents to full potential.
As Members know, after 12 months of dedicated work, this first ever national strategy for Irish sport was published on 18 February 1997. The strategy group carried out the most detailed and fundamental review of every aspect of the funding, organisation, administration and requirements of Irish sport. This is a strategy that was not written by a few people in an office. An unprecedented level and range of consultation was carried out during the 12 months or so of its preparation.
The national sports organisations were consulted, as were Departments, state agencies, vocational education committees, local authorities and clubs, groups and individuals at local level. Over 300 written submissions were received and political parties were also consulted. In the truest sense, this strategy has been written by the partners in sport and by the people. It is not the John Treacy plan or the Allen plan as it has been described since its launch by one sports leader. It is the people's plan.
The strategy report, Targeting Sporting Change in Ireland is a very detailed and comprehensive document addressing all aspects of sport from local level and the needs of the individual to national and international structures, as well as the requirements of the top international competitor.
However, I wish to indicate the six main strategies which make up the overall report—sport for young people, recreational sport, high performance sport, sports facilities and natural resources, sports training and development and co-ordination of sport. The following principles guided the development of the strategy: people-centred focus, equality, partnership, quality, accountability, volunterism and sustainability.
In the course of the wide consultation one message came across loud and clear in every part of the country. This was the need to address the low levels of participation of children and young people in sport. Concern was expressed about the inadequacies of school sport and physical education in our schools.
The need to increase the number of people taking part in recreational sport and physical recreation—sport for all—was also raised as a priority issue. It is essential that we provide everyone with the opportunity to take part in and enjoy recreational sport supported by trained and well informed personnel, both volunteer and professional.
Ireland has a long tradition in high performance sport at international and national levels. Our national games have played a very special, strategic, leading role in our community. The strategy has identified the need to strengthen the work and the organisation of the NGBs, the range and quality of coaching and facilities and the early identification and ongoing support of our outstanding sports people.
There has been great progress in the provision of all types of sports facilities in recent years. However, in too many cases facilities are being provided in an unco-ordinated way and are funded on the basis of expressed demand rather than a rational plan. This has led to over-provision and duplication in some areas and under-provisions in others. The strategy proposes ways to provide quality sports facilities in the right place at the right time. These facilities should be well managed, accessible and widely used and should be sustainable to both the user and the provider.
The strategy also addressed the ways needed to develop a network of trained volunteers and professionals working harmoniously and successfully in all aspects of the sports sector, creating new jobs while building on the volunteer traditions of Irish sport.
The sports co-ordination strategy is the vital link which brings all six strategies together in one co-ordinated plan. This is to ensure that all our agencies, organisations, Departments, local communities and clubs as well as the private sector can work together in a cohesive way to provide opportunities for all, including people with disabilities and those living in areas of economic and social disadvantage, to participate fully in sport. To help bring all of this together, it is proposed to strengthen the role and impact of the Irish Sports Council to enable it to co-ordinate the potential which exists within sport and to provide a leadership role as well as a clear voice for Irish sport. The Government has given its approval to my Department to prepare legislation to establish the Sports Council on a statutory basis. My Department is now in the course of preparing a memorandum for Government with the outline heads of a Bill.
The strategy report has outlined a number of measures to be put in place to get the implementation of the six strategies I outlined under way. As I said at the launch of the plan, plans are made to be implemented not to be left to languish on a shelf. I have announced a 12 point implementation programme. I announced the appointment of John Treacy as Executive Chairman of the Irish Sports Council. John, with the council and the sport section of my Department, will set up the structures and programmes for the implementation of the strategy.
I accept in principle the need for a statutory sports council on the lines recommended by the strategy group and I am putting in place the necessary arrangements for the drafting of legislation to appoint the council on a statutory basis. The existing Sports Council represents a broad range of sports, key NGBs and other related areas. This council will play a central, pivotal role in the development of policy and in the implementation of the strategy, as well as providing a voice and leadership for Irish sport. It will direct the development of a cohesive partnership with the Irish sport sector, Departments and agencies, national and international organisations and the private sector.
As the House will be aware, the Sports Council was set up in June 1996. It succeeded Cospóir, although it was a smaller group and it was representative of all of the main interests in Irish sport. The common link between the strategy group and the Sports Council was John Treacy, the chairman of the strategy group. I was anxious to signal my commitment to implementing the plan by appointing him chairman of the Sports Council.
A women in sport group will be set up immediately to report on and address the key issues impacting on Irish women and their involvement in sport. I am concerned at the high level of falloff in the participation of women in sport from the age of 16 onwards. This was highlighted in a study carried out by the Department. There are impediments to the participation of women in sport beyond that age at participatory, management and administrative levels. These issues were highlighted at a conference held in Brighton about two years ago and by a number of women's groups which I have met.
There are 35 sports organised on an all island basis and there is a need for an all island approach to the promotion and development of sport. A number of programmes are already being put in place in the area of recreational sport and children's sport. There is a need for closer co-operation in the areas of high performance sport and in facility provision.
I announced in February that a representatives of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland would be appointed to the Irish Sports Council to ensure an effective level of co-ordination at the highest level of policy development. I am informed that the Sports Council for Northern Ireland selected its representative at its meeting yesterday. There is a need for an all island planning group to co-ordinate and develop sports policy. This has been happening for over 12 months because the Sports Council for Northern Ireland had a representative on our strategy group and we have a representative on its equivalent. There is and will be further co-ordination.
I will announce the introduction of an anti-drugs in sport programme, which will include a testing and an education programme in co-operation with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland which has expertise and experience in this regard. It is important that we avail of its expertise and experience. I will also establish a group to report on and address the key issues affecting the participation in sport of people with a disability.
As part of a range of new initiatives in high performance sport a player/athlete carding system will be introduced which will provide access to funding, training facilities, sport sciences, medical back-up, physiological testing, coaching and career guidance and development. It is disturbing that many top athletes who have represented Ireland at Olympic Games and other competitions find themselves without a career at the end of their playing days. Career guidance for our budding athletes is essential. A holistic package of support services will be available for the first time for our top athletes. The role of the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick will be enhanced to enable it to develop this and other services in consultation with the national governing bodies of sport. Greater resources are being allocated for this enhanced role. There will be increased funding for outstanding and elite sports people this year.
Special attention will be paid to strengthening the role and effectiveness of the national governing bodies. Strategic planning services will be provided for them so that they can develop effective plans and initiatives for the future development of their sports in co-operation with my Department, the Sports Council and the National Coaching and Training Centre.
My Department, the Sports Council and the National Coaching and Training Centre will work hand in hand with the national governing bodies in the development of their outstanding and elite squads as well as their coaching, competition and training needs. The special role and needs of players involved in team sports, including our national games, will also be given special attention.
Up to now our sports facilities have been developed on the basis of expressed demand. This lack of a co-ordinated approach has resulted in some areas of the country being under-provided in terms of facilities, other areas being over-supplied and duplication in many places. The role of ILAM—the Institute for Leisure Amenity Management (Ireland)—will be enhanced so that it can play a full part in preparing a national plan for the development, provision and management of sports facilities in consultation with the Sports Council and my Department. A national inventory of facilities will be carried out to identify the country's needs and requirements. With this information and plan we can ensure that we have the right facilities in the right place at the right time. The national governing bodies will be consulted closely at all stages so that their priorities and needs in the provision of training and competition facilities will be clearly identified. The startegy report has highlighted the need for training facilities for all sports as a priority matter. In this context I am investigating the need for a 50 meter training pool for Irish swimmers.
A technical support team will be appointed to implement the individual strategies in the areas of recreational sport and youth sport as well as training and development. Recreational sport is a priority; two recreational sport officers will develop and co-ordinate programmes to implement the strategy measures to increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity. These people will be appointed by public competition; it will not be, as some described it, "jobs for the boys".
The national survey, already published, on participation in sport and physical activity will provide a basis and a baseline for the measurement of the effectiveness of future interventions. Comprehensive programmes will be developed targeted at the different life stages. The recreational sport strategies will be implemented in partnership with local sports facilities.
In co-operation with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, a number of cross-Border initiatives on recreational sport will commence shortly. Also in association with that body, an all island training programme geared at those organising or leading recreational sport will be put in place.
The importance of sport for young people was raised as a priority for attention by most of the groups and individuals consulted during the preparation of the strategy. Two national sports officers will be appointed, by public competition, to develop and co-ordinate special programmes and initiatives. A consultative forum will be established involving all key agencies to address issues of sport for young people involving the home, school and community. There is an important role here for the national governing bodies and their clubs at local level.
A special qualification for coaching young people in sport will be developed and three age-specific sports programmes will be developed with the key agencies. With that, a promotional and educational programme campaign will be introduced to inform the community and clubs on the principles of the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland, published last year. Local sports development officers will be appointed on a pilot basis at local level in specific disadvantaged areas to promote sport for young people and develop sport as a catalyst for social inclusion, crime prevention and job creation. A sports training and development officer will be appointed to develop a comprehensive training and development plan for volunteers in Irish sport to include the development of a qualifications system, because without such a system there is no evaluation.
As an indication of the importance the Government has placed on the need to develop Irish sport, it has provided £1.6 million in this year's budget to enable work to commence on the implementation of the strategy. This funding will enable me to put in place the structures and systems necessary so that the key elements of the strategy can be put into effect without delay. The provision of this £1.6 million, in addition to the money already allocated in the Estimates, is a clear and positive sign of the Government's commitment to sport and to all those organisations, clubs and individuals at all levels who contribute so much to our country and to our social and community development.
In conclusion, the national sports plan provides a new deal for Irish sport. It provides a place in the decision making process for everyone involved in sports policy and development in Ireland. It is based on consultation and on sharing and this spirit of openness and transparency which typified its preparation will also characterise its implementation.
The plan has been widely welcomed by sports federations and clubs and there has been an unprecedented demand for copies. Sports organisations and clubs realise that working with the structures outlined in the plan will enhance sport in Ireland. There have been critics, but they are in a minority. Nevertheless, if the administration of sport does not change, it will be changed by external forces. Change is always painful for some, but we need everybody on board, working together in an effective and cohesive way so that all resources are optimised and athlete support and governing bodies are strengthened. Unless everything is right in the administration of sport and unless there is full co-ordination of resources, services and talents, we will not be at our best.
The sports strategy offers a unique and unprecedented opportunity for all interests to work in partnership and harmony, and in an open way, for the future development of our sport, our communities, our nation's health and well being and, most important, for the good of our young people and children. I look forward to the contributions of Senators and to sharing views and concerns on this most important facet of Irish life.