Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2020
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the steps she can take to promote and develop the recovery of sport in Ireland with particular reference to the restrictions caused by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28055/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the sport sector, with all sporting activity suspended at the end of March. The sport sector has played a key role in supporting the public health by promoting key messages and many sports clubs throughout the country supported elderly and vulnerable members of their communities. The sporting bodies have also done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department.
It is thanks to this hard work that sport in Ireland has thankfully already recovered to a considerable extent, notwithstanding the acute financial and operational difficulties still being encountered. From early June, group training was successfully resumed and our elite athletes returned to training. Significant national competitive events are also taking place and sports participation levels across the population have also recovered.
Sport Ireland continues to be extremely active in its sport promotional activities. Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) is the primary means employed to deliver participation policies and action. Research recently undertaken by Sport Ireland indicates significant increases in the number of people participating in sport and physical, especially in relation to recreational walking and cycling. Sport Ireland are also currently assessing applications for funding from sports bodies as part of the €70m package announced earlier in the Summer and plan to make announcements towards the end of October.
Finally, we must all be aware that case numbers and hospitalisations continue to rise and continue our efforts to prevent transmission of infection in our communities and to limit our social contacts. I would ask all those involved in Irish sport, from elite to grassroots, to continue to observe public health advice and to take all appropriate precautions at training and sporting events.
