Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Dublin City Council has done a lot of great work around the north inner city and the city more generally - there is no disputing that - but there has been an omission in respect of soccer pitches for predominantly working-class kids in and around the city centre. There is no 11-a-side pitch in the north inner city at all. There is an AstroTurf facility in Grangegorman. It is extraordinarily expensive, at €190 per game. There is the AUL Complex, where there are similar expenses.

The pitch was destroyed; it will not be possible to use it. It is not the first time vandalism has taken place on the pitch. In this instance Dublin City Council took down the gate. There was negligence involved on its part in not preserving the environment. I just want the pitches finished. I appreciate that nothing can happen overnight. There is a Taoiseach's task force specifically set up for the north inner city that has allocated a significant amount of funds, but that has not materialised in terms of sporting infrastructure, and not enough of an emphasis has been placed on that.

What I will convey to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and, if I must, to the Taoiseach is that we cannot lose these kids from sport. For the young boys and girls who play there, it is a discipline they are getting. It is a social outlet twice during the week and then on the weekend, and we need that to stay there. At a minimum, I would like to see the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, engage with the clubs themselves. I may potentially bring together a meeting between the clubs and Dublin City Council. I do not even need to be in the room for that meeting. We must find some outlet by which those kids can play football - home games - this weekend or next. If it is the case that Sheriff YC has to source alternative AstroTurf accommodation for their home games, that will mean an increase in subs for the kids, and many of those kids are living in varying degrees of poverty. They cannot afford the extra tenner or fiver that may come with that. Two kids on the team are brother and sister. The families will in no way be able to meet their costs, and Sheriff YC is certainly not carrying the cash either. May we please just agree that the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, will engage with the clubs and the city council and find some degree of resolution? I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for his response.

See this speech in context