Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am just back from a wonderful briefing relating to the High Five Boxing Academy for children with additional needs. The briefing was hosted by Deputy Ó Snodaigh and me in the audiovisual room. I ask the Tánaiste to join me in welcoming the children, the parents, and the coaching staff of the High Five Boxing Academy for children with additional needs to the Gallery. This initiative is supported by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association and includes all children, regardless of their abilities. It was started by Pat Dingle of Drimnagh Boxing Club and has been continued on by Paddy Jennings, from Palmerstown in my area, and is in boxing clubs right across Ireland now. The initiative ensures that children of all abilities are part of boxing, not apart from boxing. The academy only has a couple of asks of the Tánaiste. These are to raise awareness for the club where we would like to see the initiative spread right across the country. The Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Chambers, joined us at the briefing and mentioned that consideration could be given to providing funding through the dormant accounts fund. If the Tánaiste to lend his support in that regard, it would be really welcome.

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