Dáil debates

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Topical Issue Debate

Sports Funding

5:45 pm

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

We have all been following the revelations this week regarding the treatment of the national women's soccer team. I believe negotiations have taken place and some matters have been resolved but I commend the players for bringing this to public attention. It just goes to show when people link with a union and bring issues to public attention the progress that can be made quickly. However, a broader issue has been revealed, which is the discrimination against, and unequal treatment of, women in sport generally, both nationally and internationally.

I used to coach a basketball team when I was a teacher and the practice was that teachers would bring home the squad's kit to wash. The kit would be shared among the various teams. It seems our national women's soccer team was not treated much better having to change in toilets and taking off their tracksuits to give to the underage teams. There is still a massive difference in the remuneration of women and men. I understand the women were seeking €300 per match appearance whereas the senior men receive approximately €5,000 per game.

Many surveys highlight that female athletes are covered less in the media now than they were in 1989. We are subsidising RTE. Will the Minister of State launch an investigation into the coverage of women's sports by the national broadcaster? In the US, women's sports receive 3.2% of network coverage although in some cases it is only 2%. However, many of the television channels use the ubiquitous evolving rolling ticker at the bottom of the screen to justify coverage of women's sport. Much of the coverage is sexist referring to their looks and appearance and it idealises their ability to juggle family and sport. One tennis player was asked by a commentator recently to give a twirl to show what she was wearing. That is the way women can be treated when they participate in sport.

With regard to funding of sports bodies, will the Minister of State call any of them to account regarding the amount they give to women's sports? This is not just about gender discrimination; it is also a health issue. How is it attractive for young girls to continue in their chosen sport if they know they will be treated as second or third class citizens? There is a problem with girls participating in sports in their teenage years and beyond. Why would they when their participation is not valued at all by society? There is a health issue for girls. The Minister of State should call the sports bodies to account in this regard.

The prize fund for the World Cup was €576 million whereas the prize fund for the Women's World Cup was €15 million, or 40 times less. The men's World Cup winning team received $35 million whereas the women's winners received $2 billion. The winning team in the men's UEFA Champions League receives €15 million while the winning women's team receives €250,000 or 60 times less.

In 2015, the State gave €2.96 million to the GAA but only €384,655 was given to the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and €387,000 to the Camogie Association. Much less funding goes to women's sports and the Minister of State should take this up with the association.

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