Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the encouragement of sporting and recreational activity in all primary and second-level schools throughout Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33495/21]
View answerIncreasing participation levels in sport for all age cohorts, including those attending school, is a priority of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, supports a range of programmes and activities that aim to encourage, support and empower primary and secondary school children to actively participate in sport and physical activity. This is a central component of the recently launched Sport Ireland Participation Plan (2021-2024) and reflects the long term commitment made in the National Sports Policy that ‘all children enjoy their sporting experiences and have the physical literacy to underpin their participation in sport and physical activity throughout their lives’.
Sport Ireland is undertaking several initiatives for children and young people under its Participation Plan. Sport Ireland Coaching is currently working with the network of Local Sports Partnership (LSP’s) and National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) on the delivery of training for the coaches of primary school children “Coaching Children Programme” and the Coaches of second level coaches “Coaching Young People Programme”. Sport Ireland has also developed a ‘Coaching Girls programme for coaches of teenage girls. This workshop aims to reduce the high dropout rate of teenage girls from sport by upskilling and educating the coaches.
Sport Ireland is also funding school-based initiatives as part of the ‘Get Ireland Running’, ‘Get Ireland Swimming’ and ‘Get Ireland Cycling’ programmes in line with the National Sport Policy commitment to prioritise these sports as they have the greatest potential for generating high levels of active participation across the life course.
The European School Sports Day (ESSD) will take place on September 24th 2021. As part of the European Week of Sport 2021, Sport Ireland plans to support the Irish Primary PE Association (IPPEA) to coordinate the ESSD. The IPPEA have been invited to apply for funding supports and the application review process is currently underway. The IPPEA plan to grow the event from last year, reaching more students and schools. They have already held workshops with schools focusing on the sustainability of their activities following the ESSD. They also plan to continue with competitions for physical education equipment for schools, to drive further engagement.
Sport Ireland and my Department, in collaboration with the educational authorities, will continue to support these and other initiatives to get young people more active in our schools and in our communities.
