Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

He has better access. I agree wholeheartedly with everything the Deputy said. Everything points to the fact that the school years are critical. Participation in sport during the school years, for all the reasons I have mentioned, is important and also gives a lifelong interest. During my time as Minister for Education and Science I highlighted the fact that principals were telling children not to run in the playground. I made a big issue of it to the extent that I advised parents that if children run they will fall, but it does not mean that somebody has caused them to fall and, therefore, there was no reason to take insurance cases. It petered out. It was just fear on the part of principals.

Deputy O'Mahony raised the issue of vending machines, another matter which arose when I was Minister for Education and Science. I recommended that where vending machines exist - many schools use them for revenue - there would be an option of healthy food. The situation has improved over the years. From my visits to schools over the years I have noted they now offer bottles of water and healthier foods, rather than fizzy drinks. Perhaps that is the way to address the matter, rather than banning vending machines which schools see as part of revenue.

On school facilities, in recent years there have been some tremendous programmes, in particular with new school buildings which have sports halls etc. attached to them. Primary and secondary schools can also apply under sports capital funding if they show that at times when the schools are on holidays, which is quite a number of weeks during the year, the facilities would be made available to clubs for at least 30 hours per week. That is already a condition of the scheme. There is no point in having good facilities around the country which are not fully shared by the community.

I see the interaction between different Departments on health activity issues as crucial. As the Deputy said, the five minute speech I made on the day I was appointed Minister highlighted the fact that fitter, active children should be encouraged and the fact that people are living longer and need to be supported in activities, which can be accomplished through working with local authorities.

On the issue of schools, I was chuffed that my first function in my sporting capacity was last Saturday when I presented the cup for junior camomile to my alma mater, the Presentation Secondary School in Thurles which beat Grennan College in Thomastown 6-10 to 1-2. With two cousins on the team, I was particularly proud to be able to do it. Whether they, like me, will continue with sporting activity or give it up, is one of the challenges. The figures the Deputy mentioned are correct. Girls are great for participation in primary school but by the time they get to 15 years of age they tend to opt out, so we need to support them through that. Having sport and activity for all, rather than just competitive sport, is critical for children who are not competitive but need to be kept fit and active.

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