Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We must continually review the impact of the ongoing restrictions on sport and young people's participation in it. I held a sports management group meeting only yesterday with many of the governing bodies and organisations and that was a topic raised by some involved in the call. We will do everything we can to support the grassroots system and the sporting organisations so that we can enable young people to go back to sport.

From my engagement with many sporting clubs and organisations, I know that many young people were delighted to get back playing and participating in recent weeks. That has been extremely positive. Matches have taken place. Training is back and gyms have reopened. As Deputy Gould outlined, however, we must identify those who may not have returned and do everything we can for them. We are in discussions with the sports sector on a package for this year, which is about ensuring sporting organisations are kept afloat and can recover properly but also ensure that clubs at grassroots level are strong and sustainable post Covid. That means keeping young people participating and involved.

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