Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

My concern is another of the groups mentioned by Deputy Aindrias Moynihan, namely, those who are not involved in sports at all. We see poor levels of participation in sport and activity among young teenage girls. Much research has been done into this topic and how to break down these barriers. Girls talk about limited opportunities to try new things or learn new skills. I hope this investment, the doubling of funding, can provide new opportunities to learn new skills. Will the funding simply be for capital acquisitions for equipment and grounds, or can it be used to fund coaching and leadership staff as well? That would provide the place to learn a new skill and the person to teach it. The extra leadership would help to address the point made by Deputy Moynihan as it would give people something new to do and a new outlet, thereby keeping them involved in their club, sport or community even longer.

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