Ms Paula Magee:

A Chathaoirligh, go raibh maith agat as ucht an deis seo teacht os bhur gcomhair inniu. I thank the Cathaoirleach for this opportunity to come before the committee today. To give some background on GAA Scór, it was originally established by the GAA in 1969 with the aim of promoting Ireland's traditional pastimes and culture, while offering club members a chance to meet up, have fun and represent their club during the winter months while football and hurling had ceased.

There are eight disciplines in Scór that cover all aspects of Irish culture: céilí dancing, solo singing, ballad group, recitation and storytelling, novelty act, instrumental music, set dancing and table quiz. The competition is divided into two age levels, Scór na nÓg for young people under 17 and Scór Sinsir for those over 17. Scór caters for people of all ages and all abilities.

Like the all-Ireland football and hurling championships, clubs taking part in Scór run off competitions among the club’s own members initially, with the winners going forward to divisional or district board stage when deemed necessary. They then go on to the county final. The winners go on to the provincial final and finally on to the all-Ireland final. It is important to note also that Scór is run bilingually, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla, and that participants in the oral competitions are invited to perform in Irish and English.

Both male and female members have taken part in Scór since its inception in 1969. Although data had not been formally collected, it would be accurate to say that participation is 50:50 between males and females. In 2023, a total of 378 clubs took part in Scór Sinsear, of which 355 were GAA clubs and 23 LGFA and An Cumann Camógaíochta clubs. In the same year, 510 clubs took part in Scór na nÓg, of which 440 were GAA clubs and 70 LGFA and An Cumann Camógaíochta clubs. Although the 2023 Scór participation figures consisted mostly of GAA clubs, it is important to note that many of these clubs adopt a one-club model in which all Gaelic games come under one umbrella within the club. These clubs were represented by footballers, hurlers, camogie players, rounders players and handball players at Scór within the club, regardless of their gender. It is important to note also that standalone GAA clubs have male and female members representing the clubs. Integration between males and females has always been a feature of Scór, with equal participation and involvement in administration, promotion, etc., by both males and females.