Investment in sport is based on our belief that it is an important part of our individual, community and national life. It can make a major contribution to some of our most pressing social and health issues, including mental health and suicide prevention. We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and belonging, channelling energy in rewarding activity and bringing people together.
I want to ensure that all people are encouraged and given opportunities to participate in sport and to enjoy all the benefits that sport can bring through developing a healthy lifestyle. In that context the Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, has an allocation of almost €44.5 million in 2012.
The Department of Health is the Department with responsibility for prevention programmes in the area of self-harm and suicide. I am informed by the Irish Sports Council that while there is no specific training or promotion developed around this issue specifically for sport, a number of National Governing Bodies of Sport have availed of the HSE's Assist Programme, which has been developed specifically to support young people at risk of suicide or self-harm. For example, I understand that the GAA have trained a number of people under this scheme. In the case of individual athletes, where concerns are raised by coaches or service providers with the Irish Sports Council or the Institute of Sport, the athlete is, with their consent, referred to appropriate experts in the area of self-harm and suicide prevention.
