Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I support the amendment, particularly as it relates to protecting the health and welfare of children. Many families are finding it difficult to meet the cost of sports gear, namely, hurleys, football boots, hockey sticks, rugby balls and kits. Associations such as the FAI, GAA and IRFU are doing their best. A gap is being created between the children whose families can afford the cost of kits and those whose families cannot afford them, thus leading to a degree of resentment on the part of children. Also, a problem arises in regard to what the children who do not have the gear are to do. Many children who get involved in anti-social behaviour and all the problems generated in that regard do so because they have nothing else to do.

I have argued long and hard for local authorities, when dealing with planning applications, to ensure play facilities are provided in all housing estates, irrespective of the cost of homes therein. The quality of local authority housing is excellent as is evident from those I have seen in Kildare. They are of first-class quality. In the private sector, in particular, provision is not made for small play areas — these would not take from the overall estate — where children can play among their peers. This would help us to overcome some of the problems generated by anti-social behaviour.

The local club with which I am associated provides facilities for 30 to 40 children, who may also play on the local pitch. However, much more can be done. I believe that the cost factor is what prohibits many families providing the impetus for their children to get involved in social activities. Often, children do not get involved in school sports for the same reasons. Despite the availability of the back to school allowance, the cost to families of sending their children to school is great. Children should be given an opportunity to get involved in every aspect of social recreation. It is sad that some children are unable to do so because their families cannot afford kits and so on. This should not be the case.

I support the amendment from the perspective of providing an alternative to anti-social behaviour and of drug barons pulling children into their webs. One can read every day of the week in the newspapers about children as young as ten or 11 years being used as mules for drug barons. This is reflective of the experience of many of these children who were unable to get involved in the bigger picture of social and community life in their areas. I support the amendment.

See this speech in context