Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Sport and physical activity has the potential to enrich the lives of all people and everyone of all ages and backgrounds should know that they can benefit from physical activity. The value of sport and physical activity to the nation simply cannot be over-emphasised in improving our health, in creating a sense of identity and belonging and in boosting our morale.

Sedentary lifestyles are widespread in Ireland and throughout the world. The challenge now and for the foreseeable future is to extend people's health expectancy or years of life free from illness or disability. Sport and physical activity can also be promoted as an alternative to anti-social behaviour. More than this, it develops the personal skills of individuals. Values such as tolerance, self-discipline, team spirit and strength of character are demanded, practised and promoted. In this way, sport serves as an indispensable educational tool in schools, colleges and in the wider community.

I am pleased to say that co-operation already exists between my Department and the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children, with my Department participating in several cross-departmental groups in this regard. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport is represented on the children and young people's participation partnership committee, and on related sub-groups, to provide strategic oversight and direction for the work of developing and promoting youth participation. The initiative arises under the national children's strategy and the committee is led by the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs. It is also participating in the cross-departmental group to develop a positive ageing strategy, which is being undertaken by the office for older people within the Department of Health and Children. The Department is also represented on a steering group developing proposals for an overall national substance misuse strategy. The group is chaired by the Department of Health and Children and the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for drugs. Part of the strategy will relate to preventative measures and the subjects of sports and arts activities are expected to be included within this framework.

The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Sports Council, ISC, which is funded by the Department, has a statutory responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Irish Sports Council, in pursuance of its objectives, works in partnership with the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children and agencies thereof. Examples of such co-operation include the Buntús programme, the primary physical education in-service programme and the junior cycle PE support service with the Department of Education and Skills and the Buntús Start programme, the development of the national physical activity guidelines for Ireland and Get Ireland Active initiatives within the Department of Health and Children and the HSE.

It is my intention to build on the existing relationships between my Department and the Departments of Education and Skills and Health and Children by encouraging closer collaboration and partnership in the development and implementation of strategies to encourage participation in sport and active lifestyles.

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