John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

——Cavan, Clondalkin or Lucan we do not have a simple application procedure, which is the case with soccer or GAA clubs. In the past decade, the resources we have invested in young people have been targeted at sporting activities, with which I do not disagree. We have made huge inroads investing in such activities for young people but in the coming decade we should examine other recreational and social activities in which teenagers want to get involved. We do not have a simplified structure to provide such facilities, however. The Ronanstown youth café was established through the VEC, South Dublin County Council and others. If it is appropriate for soccer, GAA and rugby clubs to provide dressing rooms for children, the social role model is of equal significance. We should put in place a simplified programme whereby one organisation — be it based in Clondalkin, Lucan, Tallaght or elsewhere — can roll out such facilities. No such programme currently exists, however, so we should examine that matter.

While we have discussed many issues regarding young people, it has come to my attention that Irish obesity levels are not the EU norm but rather on a par with the US. That is partly because of our economic growth and the consequent wealth and affluence that we have never seen before. In addition, it has happened so quickly that people were unprepared for it. If children are involved in sporting activities it is easy to look after them.

An initiative undertaken by South Dublin County Council will provide a children's activity club on the site of the old swimming pool in Clondalkin which was decommissioned because we have a new swimming pool. The old pool is being filled in to allow the county council to provide that fitness club facility for children. It is an activity club for young children who are not competitive by nature. It will not be like playing Gaelic football, soccer, rugby or any other sport. The establishment of such a centre recognises that some children are suffering from higher obesity levels than we have hitherto seen. In rolling out initiatives such as youth cafés and fitness clubs, we need to be aware of the changing nature of society. While acknowledging what we have done in the past, it is insufficient simply to repeat that in the future.

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