John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo many of the comments my colleague, Senator Dolan, made on the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme announced this morning by the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys. In my county of Waterford, €370,000 has been allocated to upgrade and enhance a section from Clonea Road to Ballynacourty, a spur off the Waterford greenway, which is a fantastic amenity that I think everybody across the whole country knows about. We certainly look forward in better times, when restrictions are eased, to welcoming many people to the Waterford greenway.It does go to show that investing in our outdoor infrastructure is most important, both for tourism potential and for locals alike. This has particularly been the case throughout Covid when many activities have been restricted to outdoors. It is absolutely fantastic that €15.7 million has now been allocated throughout the entire country across both measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure fund. It is money that will be well spent in communities right across the country.

In conjunction with the subject of outdoor sport and activity, speaking as a former physical education teacher, I do believe that it is essential, as Senator Dooley referenced a few moments ago, that as we look to easing restrictions hopefully beyond 5 April 2021 we focus on young people in particular. I am acutely conscious that there are many young people who potentially will not engage in sport following this pandemic because they have missed out on such formative time in being able to engage with their sport or activity. We must lead as a Government and seek to do something in the context of non-contact sport and activity. It is not a case of "if" - we must do it for reasons of mental health and for the ongoing participation of young people in sport following the pandemic.