Vol. 706 No. 1
66 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism whether she has received representations from tourism operators on the impact that contraction in car rental supply will have on the tourism industry in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14141/10]
I am aware from my initial contacts with tourism industry interests of potential difficulties in the availability and pricing of car hire during the peak summer period.
I understand that a number of events have brought about the contraction in the car hire fleet. Traditionally, car rental companies bought new cars from dealers. They required the dealer to agree a price at which he or she would buy the car back at a later date. This facilitated dealers and car rental companies to secure credit to make their purchases. Falling prices in the second-hand car market and overcrowded forecourts in 2008 meant that dealers made significant losses on the arrangement. I understand that, following that experience, dealers are no longer prepared to enter such agreements and, therefore, are supplying fewer cars to the rental industry. I have been advised that the problem is compounded by the levels of credit available in the economy and the trend by domestic motorists towards smaller, more carbon-efficient cars and away from the larger, automatic transmission cars more popular with many overseas visitors.
My officials and representatives of the tourism agencies have been in ongoing discussions with the tourism industry to help identify solutions that will ameliorate potential difficulties in 2010. I am open to considering any proposals that the industry may now wish to put forward in the light of the outcome of the debate on tax-based solutions during the passage through the House of the Finance Bill. It may well be that the existing car hire business model which is dependent on a high turnover of new car sales is no longer appropriate in the current market and will have to adapt to changed circumstances.
Accordingly, I would hope that the wider market would respond to the commercial opportunities arising. I would also be concerned that the car hire sector would exercise restraint in any scope for car hire rate increases arising from potential shortages, on the basis of the medium to longer-term damage that this would have on Irish tourism and, indeed, their own businesses.
I wish the Minister well on her first questions here in her new Ministry.
I realise that she is at least partly familiar with this problem, which has arisen, I suppose, as a result of a treble whammy — the scrappage scheme, the general recession and the lack of credit in the economy. She stated she would like the industry to refrain from putting up prices. The reality is most of them will be put out of business. At this stage it is a question not of putting up prices, but of trying to stay in business.
The impact of this is catastrophic in that there will be a maximum of between 10,000 and 12,500 cars available when at least 20,000 are required. Already cancellations of holidays are resulting, particularly from the American market. Obviously, Americans come for longer than a weekend in most cases and approximately 45% of them hire a car. Of those, the vast majority need automatic transmission cars, the shortage of which is even greater. If we are to lose that kind of business, it will have a significant impact throughout the country.
The other area that will really suffer is the bed and breakfast accommodation business, which is already suffering badly and 80% of whose customers hire a car. It will have a considerable impact right around the country, not so much in the cities but further afield.
According to conservative estimates of the impact of this, 1,500 jobs will be lost to the industry, €28 million will be lost in Government revenue and more than €120 million will be lost in revenue to the industry.
The Minister stated that the industry should not overcharge, and that is good advice assuming they can stay in business. However, the Minister for Finance suggested that rather than change the general taxation system or grant exceptions in the general area of taxation, a solution could be found in a direct subsidy from Deputy Hanafin's Department. I do not know whether he has communicated this to the Minister, but I wonder if she has any plans in this regard. If she has such plans, now is the time to announce them given that the season started effectively on St. Patrick's Day and Easter is approaching. If the Minister has plans to give a subsidy that would encourage the motor industry to provide cars at a reasonable price to the car rental industry, now is the time to announce them.
I thank Deputy Mitchell for her good wishes. We share the same interest in this area of tourism, culture and sport, and I look forward to working with this Department.
There are a number of issues in this regard. I accept that there is a potential problem here for the tourist industry generally. However, the model that the car hire industry has been using has always insisted on new cars. The car hire industry will raise arguments about warranties, guarantees, etc., but perhaps it should be looking to include good-quality second-hand cars as well because there are thousands of them on the forecourts of the garages, and there may be potential in that area. There may also be potential for the car hire industry to use cars with lower CO2 emissions because these are obviously cheaper in VRT terms, and perhaps it could benefit from that.
In looking at the costs comparable to other capital cities, so far this month Dublin would seem to be comparable with major cities. Certainly, coming into the summer the prices on offer are comparable, but already we are seeing that August will be more expensive in Ireland than elsewhere. That is not acceptable because that will even damage the tourist industry that we have, notwithstanding that other people might be impacted about there not being a sufficient number of cars.
A subsidy scheme was introduced a number of years ago and it was a direct handout to the car industry. If we were to do that now, it would be money that would come from the tourism budget. It would come directly from other projects because no extra funding is available. It would be questionable as to whether it would conflict with EU state-aid rules because one would be subsidising directly, not merely to a particular industry but to a very limited one because four companies control 80% of the market.
There are issues surrounding it. I expect the tourism industry to make proposals to me as to what it sees might be the solution, and I would be happy to engage with it on its ideas.
I realise there is no easy solution and no matter what the Minister does, it will cost money. It seems to me this is not the year to have the treble whammy, certainly not to withdraw an advantage that the industry had for the same reason, lack of supply, since the early 1990s.
I accept what the Minister stated about automatic transmission and lower emission cars. The trouble is that the Americans, by and large, can only drive automatic transmission cars which produce high emissions and the reality is that is the market we are going after. We are spending hundreds of thousands of euro on marketing in the American market, and it is throwing good money after bad if they then cannot drive when they get here because most of them will not come if they cannot drive.
The Minister is incorrect in stating cars will only get dearer in August; they are dearer now. If one compares car hire in Ireland and in Scotland, for instance, which is a comparable market and which is going after much the same kind of visitor, in Scotland they are up to 100% cheaper in some cases. It is not true to state that the shortage is not already hitting.
The Minister stated she will speak to the industry. What the industry will tell her is that if there is one action she could take, it is to reinstate the vehicle registration tax subsidy which has been withdrawn in the worst possible year to do so.
On the Minister's point about using second-hand cars, the reality is that we must maintain standards here. She knows if she went abroad she would get a new car. If one goes to any other country in Europe, one gets a new car rather than a second-hand car. If one starts going down that road of hiring second-hand cars, we can forget the tourism industry.
A good quality second-hand relatively new car — I do not refer to one that is five or ten years old — would be better than no car at all if it is offered at a good rate.
It might not be, given the reputational damage.
When I spoke of the survey of the costs, it was comparing capital cities. Differences will be found in price when one compares the west with parts of Scotland. Regarding the subsidies introduced several years ago, in 1992 the average payment was approximately €900 but gave only 1,260 cars extra. Even the whole value of the subsidy scheme is questionable. I am looking forward to receiving the report from the tourism industry and will be happy to engage with it on solutions it believes are applicable.
67 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a renewal implementation group has been established to monitor the progress on implementing the recommendations included in the report of the tourism renewal group; the members of the said body; the number of times it has met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14068/10]
The report of the tourism renewal group, published in October 2009, set out the tourism sector's contribution to Ireland's economic and social development and its prospects in a changed world economy. It made recommendations in the form of a framework for action for tourism survival, recovery and growth from 2009 to 2013. This framework contains five survival actions to minimise the impact of current challenges and nine recovery actions to set tourism back on a growth path as the world economy recovers.
The renewal group also proposed that, given the progress made on implementing the actions set out in the tourism development strategy, New Horizons, a broadly similar approach should be adopted to the implementation of its recommendations including the establishment of a renewal implementation group.
In advance of formal mechanisms or specific implementation arrangements, departmental officials have been working hard to progress the recommended actions and measures. The focus initially has been on the survival actions which are being pursued with the tourism agencies and other relevant Departments and bodies.
My Department's priority has been on achieving progress on the framework rather than on formal mechanisms or processes. For example, building on the renewal group's framework for action, along with the Government's wider strategy for economic renewal, the 2010 budget recognised the tourism sector as a critical and labour-intensive sector for which it provided an increase in the overall tourism services budget. This included maintaining levels of investment in overseas marketing, as well as sustaining investment in tourism product through a significantly increased capital allocation. Budget 2010 also introduced further measures, both cross-cutting and tourism-specific, to support the sector and to help it recover.
Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have built in the relevant renewal group recommendations to their business and marketing plans for 2010. Departmental officials are also working with a range of other organisations to develop opportunities to focus resources, to achieve common objectives and to maximise the impact on tourism.
Notwithstanding that a formal renewal implementation group has not been established to date, good progress has been made on implementing the group's recommendations. Drawing on its report, and complemented by general supports for enterprise, the Department is identifying the right measures and working with other Departments and the tourism agencies to drive their delivery. The objective is to position the tourism sector for recovery and growth as the Irish and global economies get back on track. I am considering what mechanisms may best ensure continued good progress on establishing the framework for recovery and growth. I expect to make an announcement in that regard in the coming weeks, following consultation with appropriate interests.
I wish the Minister well in her new brief and look forward to working with her.
I am surprised the implementation group has not yet been established. We are only too well aware that the signals for this year, just like last year, are not good for the tourism industry. The report of the tourism renewal group, published in September 2009, recommended an implementation group of no more than four members with an independent chair be established for an initial period until the end of 2010. We are a third of a way through the year but an implementation group is still not in place.
I accept bits and pieces of the recommendations are being implemented by various agencies but that is the very problem — it is piecemeal. As well as that, these are survival not just recovery actions. The second action, the abolition of the air travel tax has not been introduced. Just yesterday, the Aer Lingus chief executive, Christoph Mueller, spoke again of its significance to the tourism industry.
When will the renewal implementation group be set up? Who will be its members, who will chair it and when can we expect real action from it?
I thank Deputy Upton for her good wishes and I look forward to working with her.
The real point is when are we going to implement the recommendations set out in the survival and the recovery actions. As I outlined earlier, some have been already implemented by the important agencies, such as Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, which have the responsibility for delivering them.
Some of the recommendations, however, are dependent on other Departments. The air tax issue, for example, falls under the remit of the Department of Finance. As was debated last week on Private Member's business, from a tourism perspective one could argue it may be damaging to the sector. Yet from an overall Government policy and the Department of Finance's view, it is seen as bringing in €125 million. It is difficult to know from what source a similar amount would come if the tax were dropped.
At this stage I have not decided if we need an implementation group, who should be on it or how it should be done. I am anxious to press on with the recommendations. If having a group will ensure that will happen more effectively, then I am open to considering its establishment. I certainly will be taking a lead role in driving these suggestions.
It is a waste of public money when a report is commissioned but no one wants to take on board its recommendations. It flies in the face of common sense. The group consisted of experts under the chairmanship of Maurice Pratt which came up with two sets of action — survival and recovery. The former term concerns me as it implies there is a need for the industry's resuscitation. If it is to survive, then these actions need to be implemented.
I accept some agencies have taken on board some of them. Is tourism a regular agenda item at North-South Ministerial Council meetings?
Tourism is an essential part of North-South co-operation which is why we are able to market Ireland as the island of Ireland. My ministerial counterpart in the North, Arlene Foster, has a keen interest in this and I look forward to working with her. I note Aosdána will hold its first meeting in Northern Ireland soon. There is great potential for further co-operation on a North-South basis.
The group recommended the need to re-affirm the value of tourism. If ever a name-change re-affirmed the value of tourism, it is the change to the Department's name with tourism first. It might seem to be semantics to some but it has genuinely re-affirmed the importance of the tourism industry to the economy and affirmed the work of the people on the ground. From a conference at which I spoke this morning, Knowing and Growing North America, and from meeting the Irish Tour Operators Association last Thursday, we are seen to be working on some of the actions recommended by the tourism renewal group.
68 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if she has received a report from the Irish Sports Council regarding the court settlement involving Athletics Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13963/10]
69 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action she plans to take arising from a recent case (details supplied) so that the risk of such cases is minimised for the future; if she will advise if any of the costs arising from the case were borne by her Department either directly or indirectly; her views on whether the costs of the case may have impacted on the availability of State funding for sporting organisations; if she will insist that all sports bodies which do not have in place a disputes mechanism and who receive State funding will be required to sign up to the Just Sport Ireland dispute resolution process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14069/10]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
The Irish Sports Council , ISC, funded by my Department, is the statutory body responsible for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport which includes responsibility for dealing with the recognised sporting organisations and allocation of funding to same. The ISC was established on a statutory basis on 1 July 1999 and its functions outlined in section 6 of the Irish Sports Council Act 1999.
The council recognises more than 60 national governing bodies of sport, through which funding is allocated on an annual basis following a detailed analysis of their application forms. They are dealt with as autonomous organisations. There is no current requirement for these bodies to sign up to the Just Sport Ireland process, established by the Federation of Irish Sports in 2007 as a specialised independent arbitration and mediation facility.
From a legal perspective, I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the ISC. Under section 9 of the Irish Sports Council Act 1999, it must have regard to Government policy and comply with any general policy directive which may be given by the Minister but it is not under my control. The council is established as a corporate entity with legal personality and is responsible for its activities. I would be extremely concerned if moneys that otherwise would be invested in meeting the aims of the Government's policy on sport had to be used to meet the cost of legal settlements. My predecessor requested a full report on the case referred to by the Deputies from the Irish Sports Council on 15 March. I do not wish to make any further comment on this specific case until I have received and considered the Irish Sports Council's report, which I expect to receive in the coming weeks.
I am surprised the Minister has not received the report. This is a difficult situation and has been the subject of court action, which causes great concern. A great portion of €1 million, which should have gone to sports, has gone into lawyers' pockets. It seems utterly needless that the dispute got to this point and if Just Sport Ireland had been used at a much earlier stage, it would have solved the problem.
What is the value of a report commissioned from one of the bodies involved in the litigation? To what extent can that be objective, with the best will in the world? Given that the role of the Irish Sports Council in this has been the subject of litigation, will the Minister seek an independent report? What is the point in the Minister hearing the Irish Sports Council side of the issue? I do not want to rehash the issue but lessons must be learned about the way the Irish Sports Council interfaces with the governing bodies in sport.
I accept there must be tension between the rights, autonomy and independence of the governing bodies and the need for oversight of how public money is spent by the Irish Sports Council. It seems serious mistakes were made in terms of the relationship between the two and while any interference is not acceptable, it seems there was an unacceptable level of interference on this occasion. I ask the Minister to seek an independent report so that lessons can be learned. It is not a question of rehashing the case or apportioning blame but seeing what changes we can make to ensure this does not happen again.
If the Minister does not know already, she will learn very quickly in this brief that we are only playing at politics compared to sporting bodies. We have a lot to learn in terms of egos, ego trips, empire building and prima donna behaviour. We are in the ha'penny place compared to the world of sport. It is important we find out how we can improve the relationship between the governing bodies of sport and the funding organisations distributing money on behalf of the taxpayer.
I accept it is taxpayers' money. Deputy Mitchell tossed out a figure of €1 million but nowhere was that figure mentioned — certainly not of that scale. Irrespective of the sum, it is taxpayers' money and one must be accountable for it. The report was sought on 15 March so I am not surprised it has not yet been presented to me. When it is, I will carefully consider it and I will then examine the need for anything further arising from it. There is a need to learn from this about the relationship between the Irish Sports Council and the governing bodies, about the interaction between them and whether other processes should be used. I am always in favour of using mediation processes where they are available, irrespective of the difficulties. Perhaps we can investigate whether national governing bodies should be using that method, given that it has been available since 2007. These are the issues I will examine when I receive the report.
I refer to the issue of quangos. A hands-off approach is taken; it is out there and we have no responsibility. Of course there is responsibility but Deputies elected to this House cannot access the information directly from the Irish Sports Council. We must go through convoluted routes to try to get to the root of it, and for the most part we fail. The report from one agency involved in this, the Irish Sports Council — the body that receives money directly — will go to the Minister. Will we have access to the report and will it be published? As Deputy Mitchell stated, that is one side of the argument, which may have as many as three sides. We had protracted discussions on this on Committee Stage and, from what we heard, it was an unsavoury scenario to say the least. It is important that we did not get into the nitty-gritty because there were serious legal issues involved. Whatever the amount, it is referred to in newspapers as being between €500,000 and €700,000, a vast amount of money. At the same time, the Irish women's basketball team is not able to access a small amount of money in order to promote the team and do its work. It seems an incredible disaster for sport that this amount of money is wasted in this way.
I did not catch what the Minister said in regard to Just Sport Ireland. Perhaps she said she had no role in this. It is important there is a role for some agency in a matter where money ends up in the pockets of the lawyers. Why can we not find another route and why can certain conditions not be applied to funding for an organisation in receipt of €52 million last year? Sporting organisations will say it is not a large amount of money when spread over a large number of organisations, but it is a significant amount of taxpayers' money. We have allowed something in the order of €700,000 to be spent on a legal case that should have been managed internally through an organisation like Just Sport Ireland.
Just Sport Ireland is new to me but I am quite impressed by what it aims to do and the low level of awards granted as a result of mediation it is involved in. I understand that body has been working with national governing bodies to ensure a provision for arbitration is included in rules and regulations as a matter of course. Some 18 organisations have included the provision and it is a matter I am happy to promote so that they are get involved in it. Mediation avoids the trauma of court, never mind the amount of money it costs and the awards that can be made.
Given that confidentiality attaches to the case, I am not sure how much information can be made public. I accept fundamentally that money destined for sports organisations and approved by the Government to support those clubs, sports and the promotion and development of sport should not be going into the settlement of court cases. Anything that can be done to ensure proper and fair procedures to avoid that is something I would consider a matter of priority.
Athletics Ireland is the best funded of the governing bodies outside the three big sports. The amount wasted in this case is twice the budget for our elite athletes. They feel they have suffered as a result of this money being spent in this way. Will the Minister consider it a requirement of governing bodies in receipt of public funding to have independent directors? One of the reasons this problem escalated was that there was little independence. Everyone was involved in a personal way and the members of the Irish Sports Council board along with CEO were formerly involved in the particular sport. A little independence in the governing bodies, which is a requirement in other countries for those receiving Government funding, should be one of the issues the Minister considers following the receipt of the report, which I hope she will publish.
We need to move on to the next question.
The Minister did not respond to Deputy Mitchell's query in regard to whether she would consider commissioning an independent report. There are three groups involved in this matter. Whatever the outcome, clearly a major problem exists somewhere. What sanctions, if any, will be applied? Somebody is clearly wrong. There has been a total mess up, given that €700,000 of potential sports money has been wasted on a court case. I would like to believe somebody somewhere will be held accountable for this. We simply cannot allow this type of major public row or that people can walk away, go back to their desks and continue whatever they were doing previously.
It is important to say that I understand the court case was strictly without admission of liability. As such it will not be possible as a result of any report in regard to the handling of the case to ascertain whether any person should be sanctioned or penalised in any way. The outcome of the case stands. What is important is that we learn how we can avoid this happening in the future. I will be investigating the Just Sport Ireland, JSI, initiative to see whether conditions in this regard can be improved. I do not yet know the answer to that question as I am only learning about the process. It appears it might have been possible to deal with this particular case that way rather than in the High Court, which would have resulted in savings of an awful lot of money. I will examine the matter. However, I cannot commit to anything until I have received the report which, in fairness, was only commissioned on 15 March.
Is there any possibility of an independent report? There are three groups involved, one of which is providing the Minister with a report. The Minister's Department has direct responsibility for that agency. What we need is an independent report reflective of the views of all three sides involved.
What we want is a report that will provide guidance in terms of ensuring this does not happen again. We do not need a report which will not tell us anything about the case because the settlement in that regard is confidential.
That is precisely the reason the report needs to be independent.
The exercise is more of a learning experience for Government, the Sports Council and national governing bodies. I will know more in terms of the lessons to be learned when I have received the report. I will examine the Just Sport Ireland dispute resolution and mediation mechanisms and the various other issues raised here by Members. I am open to suggestions in regard to how we can ensure this does not happen again. However, it is premature at this stage for me to give commitments in this regard.
70 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to progress co-operation between her Department, the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Health and Children with the aim of having a fitter and healthier population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14072/10]
Sport and physical activity has the potential to enrich the lives of all people and everyone of all ages and backgrounds should know that they can benefit from physical activity. The value of sport and physical activity to the nation simply cannot be over-emphasised in improving our health, in creating a sense of identity and belonging and in boosting our morale.
Sedentary lifestyles are widespread in Ireland and throughout the world. The challenge now and for the foreseeable future is to extend people's health expectancy or years of life free from illness or disability. Sport and physical activity can also be promoted as an alternative to anti-social behaviour. More than this, it develops the personal skills of individuals. Values such as tolerance, self-discipline, team spirit and strength of character are demanded, practised and promoted. In this way, sport serves as an indispensable educational tool in schools, colleges and in the wider community.
I am pleased to say that co-operation already exists between my Department and the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children, with my Department participating in several cross-departmental groups in this regard. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport is represented on the children and young people's participation partnership committee, and on related sub-groups, to provide strategic oversight and direction for the work of developing and promoting youth participation. The initiative arises under the national children's strategy and the committee is led by the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs. It is also participating in the cross-departmental group to develop a positive ageing strategy, which is being undertaken by the office for older people within the Department of Health and Children. The Department is also represented on a steering group developing proposals for an overall national substance misuse strategy. The group is chaired by the Department of Health and Children and the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for drugs. Part of the strategy will relate to preventative measures and the subjects of sports and arts activities are expected to be included within this framework.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Sports Council, ISC, which is funded by the Department, has a statutory responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Irish Sports Council, in pursuance of its objectives, works in partnership with the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children and agencies thereof. Examples of such co-operation include the Buntús programme, the primary physical education in-service programme and the junior cycle PE support service with the Department of Education and Skills and the Buntús Start programme, the development of the national physical activity guidelines for Ireland and Get Ireland Active initiatives within the Department of Health and Children and the HSE.
It is my intention to build on the existing relationships between my Department and the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children by encouraging closer collaboration and partnership in the development and implementation of strategies to encourage participation in sport and active lifestyles.
I thank the Minister for her reply and take this opportunity, along with my colleagues, to wish her well in her new portfolio. I was delighted to hear the Minister speak last week of the importance of tourism, culture and sport as a brief. It is hoped she will get the support and backing she believes it deserves. I also wish former Minister and Deputy, Mr. Martin Cullen, well on his road to recovery. It cannot be said that there is a need for gender balance in this House in regard to sports issues. The matter is in safe hands on all sides of the House.
Perhaps the opposite is true.
Blessed are we among women.
The tabling of this question was prompted by a discussion at a committee last week at which it was revealed that 4,000 people per annum in Ireland die of obesity. This figure has risen from 2,500 some years ago. The Health Service Executive officials stated at that committee meeting that more than half of all primary school children do not reach the recommended level of fitness. Of concern was the frightening statistic that nine out of ten girls and seven out of ten boys are, on reaching 15 years of age, lacking in fitness. In 1960, we had the leanest children in Europe. We now have the fattest children in Europe.
It was suggested at that meeting that the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport should work in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, of which the Minister is well aware, and the Department of Health and Children in ensuring we become a fitter and healthier nation. The sports partnerships of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport are doing fantastic work in my county and have been rolled out countrywide and could perhaps be rolled out to schools.
The need for legislation from the Department of Health and Children in regard to food labelling has been mentioned often. The traffic light system could be used in supermarkets to highlight those foods which are damaging to one's health. There is so much that can be done. While I accept the Minister has only recently taken up this portfolio, perhaps she will state if she supports that proposal and if she sees a benefit in banning vending machines in secondary schools, in particular those which contain unhealthy foods.
The Minister referred in her reply to some of the schemes being implemented through the Irish Sports Council and so on. However, there is so much more that can be done. It is hoped that, as soon as the Minister gets her feet under the table, the effect of departmental co-operation will be evident in our nation and schools, although I accept children spend only a certain amount of time at school. For example, it could be stipulated that where sports capital funding is provided to a school, such a school must be available after hours for activities. Perhaps the Minister will outline in what other ways it will be evident at ground level that there is co-operation between the relevant Departments to ensure we become a fitter and healthier nation.
I thank Deputy O'Mahony for his good wishes. He is probably one of the few people in the House who has not asked me for tickets for an all-Ireland final. He probably has access to them himself.
Yes.
It is early days yet.
He has better access. I agree wholeheartedly with everything the Deputy said. Everything points to the fact that the school years are critical. Participation in sport during the school years, for all the reasons I have mentioned, is important and also gives a lifelong interest. During my time as Minister for Education and Science I highlighted the fact that principals were telling children not to run in the playground. I made a big issue of it to the extent that I advised parents that if children run they will fall, but it does not mean that somebody has caused them to fall and, therefore, there was no reason to take insurance cases. It petered out. It was just fear on the part of principals.
Deputy O'Mahony raised the issue of vending machines, another matter which arose when I was Minister for Education and Science. I recommended that where vending machines exist — many schools use them for revenue — there would be an option of healthy food. The situation has improved over the years. From my visits to schools over the years I have noted they now offer bottles of water and healthier foods, rather than fizzy drinks. Perhaps that is the way to address the matter, rather than banning vending machines which schools see as part of revenue.
On school facilities, in recent years there have been some tremendous programmes, in particular with new school buildings which have sports halls etc. attached to them. Primary and secondary schools can also apply under sports capital funding if they show that at times when the schools are on holidays, which is quite a number of weeks during the year, the facilities would be made available to clubs for at least 30 hours per week. That is already a condition of the scheme. There is no point in having good facilities around the country which are not fully shared by the community.
I see the interaction between different Departments on health activity issues as crucial. As the Deputy said, the five minute speech I made on the day I was appointed Minister highlighted the fact that fitter, active children should be encouraged and the fact that people are living longer and need to be supported in activities, which can be accomplished through working with local authorities.
On the issue of schools, I was chuffed that my first function in my sporting capacity was last Saturday when I presented the cup for junior camogie to my alma mater, the Presentation Secondary School in Thurles which beat Grennan College in Thomastown 6-10 to 1-2. With two cousins on the team, I was particularly proud to be able to do it. Whether they, like me, will continue with sporting activity or give it up, is one of the challenges. The figures the Deputy mentioned are correct. Girls are great for participation in primary school but by the time they get to 15 years of age they tend to opt out, so we need to support them through that. Having sport and activity for all, rather than just competitive sport, is critical for children who are not competitive but need to be kept fit and active.
Money spent and invested at an early stage in education and children is money which will be saved later on, in terms of cures which have to be put in place when people lose their health or it deteriorates. We should not be put off by the fact that some guidelines which need to be implemented will cost us money. They may cost us a small amount now but they will save a lot of money later.
I cannot disagree with the Deputy; he is correct. It is important for young people, women's participation in sport and people with disabilities. Many sports partnerships now have officers with specific responsibility for including such people. There is great potential right across the abilities, ages and sectors for people to work together and promote the idea of a healthy lifestyle, of which sport is a part.
