Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that there has been investment in capital expenditure and on equipment. That is to be welcomed. My question goes further than that because, unfortunately, young people are not returning to sport or to the arts. As a result of the lockdown restrictions, people were isolated at home and could not train. Some of them have not gone back. I recently spoke to a coach who is a GAA academy co-ordinator in Cork city who told me he believes that one in five children between the ages of 11 and 16 has not returned to training. This is quite a serious issue. What supports are we going to provide for GAA clubs, soccer clubs and arts organisations to reach out to children and young people because I do not believe anyone should be let fall through the cracks as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions and the lockdowns?

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