Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is great that 500 people are involved. It has given these people a new lease of life. A recent impact study report indicates that 92% of players have a new motivation for life, 73% have changed their life for the better and 93 players successfully addressed drug or alcohol dependency. My Department gives the funding to the Irish Sports Council - last year it received approximately €46.5 million. It is a matter for the Irish Sports Council to deal with the national governing bodies. I will contact the Irish Sports Council and ask the question. However, to be fair to the FAI, it is the only sporting organisation running any such leagues, on which I compliment it. These street leagues have worked very well, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I compliment everybody involved including the organisers of the event, the FAI and others working with homeless people. These people deserve the same recognition and support as everybody else. I am glad that the FAI is playing its part.

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