Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Mahony addressed the issue of participation and said how important it was to the health of the nation. The current figure is that only 43% are participating fully now. We want to get that up to 50% and the questions are how we do it and which groups we target. The Senator is probably aware that only 23% or 24% of people with disabilities are participating properly in sport. We aim certainly to target them and other disadvantaged people in a very energetic way. One of the ways we will do it is through the introduction of a national network of sports inclusion disability officers allied to local sports partnership. These officers will be expected to work closely with relevant national governing bodies, the disabilities sector, leisure providers, the Cara centre and other stakeholders to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport. We have also increased funding, as the Minister of State said.

Senators O'Mahony Feighan asked whether Sport Ireland would target high performance resources at those with the best chance of securing medals. That is the current aim. There is a prevailing view that the funds were previously too well spread and that we might be better off to target those with best chance of winning medals. Deputy Troy referred to New Zealand which has a similar population but a much better medals hit rate. Whereas medals are not the be all and end all, as Senator O'Mahony emphasised, and participation is equally important, they are important to young people who look to these icons and see that we are successful, which encourages their participation in sport in turn.

We have a sports inclusion disability fund which will be targeted at the disabled. We are also going to encourage women's participation in sport, which is where we doubled the funding.