Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details on how the Government is encouraging national sporting bodies and organisations to actively promote integration, unity and activity for asylum seekers and refugees throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8516/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPromoting and encouraging integration and unity in the context of sports participation is an inherent part of the Sport for All approach that is central to the ongoing implementation of our National Sports Policy. In this context, the overriding aim is to ensure that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities.
I can assure the Deputy that the particular interests and needs of asylum seekers and refugees are fully kept in mind in delivering the various programmes and funding allocations made to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) by Sport Ireland, the agency responsible for the development of sport in Ireland. For 2023, there is a 6% increase in NGB funding allocations, bringing core funding levels up to €16 million. Moreover, Sport Ireland is investing a record €10.3 million across its network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. These increased investments by the Government enhance the capacity of the sector to respond positively to the needs of groups such as asylum seekers and refugees.
The Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 includes a series of actions and initiatives aimed at increasing participation levels across the board. The plan's emphasis is heavily orientated towards increasing inclusion, diversity and equality in sport. It contains a specific commitment to establish an Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Fund to promote increased and sustainable participation in sport among a wide range of population cohorts, including ethnic minorities. It further commits that this fund will apply the Sport for All ethos. Work is underway to embed the Sport for All approach in funding drawn down from the Dormant Accounts funds that are specifically aimed at increasing participation levels amongst disadvantaged communities and people with a disability. The total amount of funding being allocated from the Dormant Accounts funding for such projects this year is €12 million, more than twice the amount available a number of years ago.
Sport Ireland plays a central role in this area. In the discharge of its mandate, it maintains an ongoing and close liaison with all of the sporting bodies to ensure that an inclusive and integrated approach is followed in the delivery of Sport Ireland's Participation Plan 2021-2024 – Increasing Participation in Changing Ireland . That Participation Plan outlines how Sport Ireland is working to help people get active by removing barriers to participation in sport and physical activity in the coming years. Its actions are being delivered through the Local Sports Partnerships, the NGBs, strategic partners, clubs, communities and individuals.
It is also appropriate to emphasise the particular relevance of Sport Ireland's Diversity and Inclusion policy, published in May 2022. This targeted policy has identified five strategic pillars, which are: Change, Communication, Access, Capacity and Leadership. To support delivery, twelve desired outcomes were devised within those five strategic pillars. Sport Ireland is leading on the implementation of this policy, and is working closely with the sport sector and key partners to target each of the policy areas in order to deliver on its commitments.
In relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, sporting bodies have been asked to help assist with supporting the accommodation and integration of arrivals from Ukraine, both by including individuals in sport and by accommodating persons within appropriate sporting facilities where necessary. The sports sector has responded positively in this regard and sport has been a lifeline for many refugees since their arrival into Ireland.
