Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Munster for her questions. It comes to me now, if that is okay. I will begin by congratulating Katie Taylor on her most recent achievement at the weekend when she had her 20th professional win, which is hugely important. At the beginning, in the Minister of State's absence, I mentioned Rachael Blackmore's nomination for the BBC world sport star of the year award, another terrific achievement by our female athletes and sportswomen.

I will begin by congratulating the Minister of State. In his short time in as Minister of State in this area, parity of esteem and women's participation in football and all field sports have been at the top of his list. His stamp is seen all over in terms of trying to bring a balance to the imbalance that exists. I acknowledge that €2.4 million has been invested when it comes to female intercounty Gaelic games. We have had many hearings over the past two years on this very topic. It would have come as a great surprise to me to learn how women in sports struggle to receive the same supports that their male colleagues receive naturally in regard to physiotherapy, their own expenses and even having grounds for their training sessions. I was shocked and disturbed over the past couple of years during the hearings we have had around those issues. It is wonderful to see the Minister of State addressing that in terms of investment. That is hugely important in terms of his commitment to female participation.

In his opening statement, he said that as of the third quarter of 2021, male sports participation had returned to pre-pandemic levels at 48%, but women's participation had not at 38%, which was 7% behind the level measured in 2019. He outlined the delivery of the women in sport dormant account to address that. How that will manifest itself in practical measures for women in sports?