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

It appears to be working well in Iceland, where there is a subsidy system for leisure activities from age six to 18. There is a similar model in France, which has a culture pass that gives all under 18-year-olds €300 to spend on art, music, theatre and other cultural activities. I believe Australia has an active kids programme which provides $100 vouchers towards sport and active recreation costs each year.

We need to look at all policy initiatives or ideas around how we promote participation opportunities and activity in the culture and sports area. As I said, we have seen a step-change in investment in sport this year, with cost of living being a big dimension of it. Similarly, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, has secured ongoing funding for the arts and the cultural area. The cost of this in any one year would be €750 million, so it is important in the budgetary process to consider that and weigh up the choices around continued investment in existing schemes and initiatives and policy ideas like this.

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