Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all our guests for their contributions. I come from a sporting background and place an emphasis on the importance of sport and fitness to the well-being of people. During the earlier session, I outlined to representatives of the GAA, soccer and rugby bodies my views on the importance of sports and fitness, especially during these current challenging times. There is no doubt that, during the lockdown, people's mental health and well-being were helped by their daily fitness regimes. It was great to see a big increase in the number of people who got involved in fitness and sport and returned to a daily fitness programme. The question we must ask ourselves is what would have happened if these people did not have this opportunity.

It is clear to see the benefit that everybody gets from increased participation in sports and fitness. During the past six months, I have seen the increase in the number of people out walking about in my home town of Dundalk. We have an opportunity to build on this and regular exercise should be actively encouraged. It must be taught at an early age that exercise is not just a hobby but a vital part of healthy living. It must start in primary schools and children should be given every opportunity and encouragement to take part in sporting activities. For that to happen, we must provide better facilities. Much has been done in recent times but it is still not enough. We must invest in greenways and make use of all areas where safe walking facilities can be utilised.

I have been actively pushing for a walkway from the seaside village of Blackrock into Dundalk. I am pleased to see that some progress has been made on this and look forward to seeing it completed. Not only will it facilitate and provide a safe route for walkers and runners, it will provide an opportunity for the tourist industry in the region. I hope that we can eventually develop a greenway from Dundalk to Carlingford. With those things in place, I firmly believe that the area will become a magnet for tourists to visit and provide a safe and enjoyable route for walkers, runners and cyclists.

As I said earlier, many clubs throughout County Louth provided invaluable support to their local communities during the lockdown period. Without that support, I fear that many in the community would have been in a very bad place. It is now time that we repaid that great community service. Many of the clubs are calling out for support to develop their facilities. I should point out to the committee that I am chairman of the Louth county board and, as such, have an interest in the fight for clubs to access more funding from the Department. It is now time for the Government to provide this much needed support to sporting clubs that gave so much when it was needed most during the lockdown. The Government must provide the necessary funding that clubs now require as a matter of urgency. In fairness to the Government, it has stepped up to the plate when it comes to supporting businesses and the health service during the pandemic but we must recognise the important role that local clubs have played, and continue to play, in communities during these extraordinary times. Clubs need our support to continue to provide this much needed service to local communities. I would welcome the view of the Department on this matter and if they could outline any plans it has to support grassroots clubs of the GAA, soccer and rugby.

A minor point I would like to raise is the fact that there is no dedicated section for sport on the Department's website. It has been raised by many people in the sporting sector that it seems that sport is not being given the attention it should be. The fact that it is not even recognised on a Government website is alarming. What plans are in place to rectify this?

I want to put on record that not enough funding is available for sport and fitness in Ireland. We must recognise this and act on it. We all know that if one partakes of regular exercise, not only will one's physical health improve but also one's mental health. We must help people to realise this and support them. Supporting them means having the right facilities in place so they can have a walk, run or even a cycle on a regular basis.

We must invest in greenways such as the one I mentioned from Dundalk to Blackrock. We must make it safer to go out and to exercise with better facilities. Clubs are only too willing to open up their facilities to walkers and runners but we must help them more by providing the funding necessary to improve their facilities, whether it is for improved lighting or track facilities. We cannot regard this as an expense or a drain on the budget. This is an investment in the physical and mental well-being of people, which, in turn, will lead to a lowering of the cost of maintaining our health system as people become more healthy. We have an opportunity and we must grasp it. Let us not be found wanting. This country and its people have been through enough during the past six months. There is now an opportunity to put in place long-term measures that will ultimately give us long-term positive results.

What would happen if people did not have the opportunity to participate in sport? The Government must provide necessary funding for clubs as a matter of urgency. They are the heart and soul of their communities. They need money and they are broke. These are the ones who were out helping people throughout the pandemic. Let us make sure that the money goes to the right people. The Government and Sport Ireland representatives are the ones who distribute the money. It is important that the grassroots receive it. Can the witnesses answer those two questions, please?