Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome some of the statistics the Minister of State gave. I certainly welcome the improvements he outlined. The issue, which he might address, is the complexity as to why girls drop out of sport and the barriers they face, including that provision for them is sometimes peripheral when it comes to the provision of pitches and other infrastructure. Some research has shown that issues like safety, transport and feeling safe travelling to sports facilities can act as a barrier to participation. The research also finds that there is a social stigma to remaining involved in sports. That is why I am particularly glad to hear the Minister of State talk about grassroots leadership. I like to see that leadership coming from women who have gone down this road themselves, know the issues and can provide leadership to younger girls, who need to know that sport is a very good use of their time. Added to that is the reality of the capital funding of sports facilities. It must be the case that as girls go up the line through the cycle and become more senior, the facilities they access are the same as those their male counterparts enjoy.

See this speech in context