Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the increase in homelessness and the recent success of the Irish team at the Homeless World Cup, if he will provide funding for this initiative; if he will meet with representatives from the homeless street leagues to discuss the way the various State agencies at national and local level can best support this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45455/12]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to funding for homeless soccer street leagues.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Irish team on their performance in the Homeless World Cup in Mexico. I also applaud the work that is being done through the homeless street leagues. Programmes such as these can have a very positive impact for those involved and present a wonderful opportunity for participants to represent their country at a large sporting event. I firmly believe that sport can play a very important role in Irish society and the homeless leagues are a very good example of this.

I have not received a request for a meeting with the representatives of the leagues but I will be happy to meet them if they wish.

The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the allocation of current expenditure funding for sports organisations. The council channels funding through the national governing bodies of sport. In the case of soccer, funding is provided to the FAI. I understand that the homeless street leagues are affiliated to the FAI and that the FAI provides financial and other support for the leagues through its Football for All programme. I also understand that the leagues receive funding from Dublin City Council.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I also congratulate the Irish Homeless World Cup team, which finished eight - a very creditable performance. There are a number of homeless street leagues in Cork, Galway, Waterford, Portlaoise, Longford, Wexford and Dublin. There is also one in Wheatfield Prison. Approximately 500 people participated in the street leagues and the primary target groups are the homeless, those dependent on drugs and alcohol, former offenders, refugees and asylum seekers, people resident in hostels, the long-term unemployed with learning disabilities, and increasingly those who have lost their jobs and homes and have found themselves homeless.

According to Focus Ireland, approximately 5,000 people are in some form of homeless situation. I know the figure the Minister of State quoted was less, but this is what Focus Ireland has advised us. It costs €80,000 to keep a person in prison for a year. This year the Irish team only received €9,000 from the FAI towards its participation in the Homeless World Cup. I do not believe they received any other money. When the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is handing money over to the FAI, it should point out that the FAI is allocating a paltry sum to the Homeless World Cup team, which is unacceptable. They have been involved in these sorts of tournaments since 2003 and this is just not good enough.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is great that 500 people are involved. It has given these people a new lease of life. A recent impact study report indicates that 92% of players have a new motivation for life, 73% have changed their life for the better and 93 players successfully addressed drug or alcohol dependency. My Department gives the funding to the Irish Sports Council - last year it received approximately €46.5 million. It is a matter for the Irish Sports Council to deal with the national governing bodies. I will contact the Irish Sports Council and ask the question. However, to be fair to the FAI, it is the only sporting organisation running any such leagues, on which I compliment it. These street leagues have worked very well, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I compliment everybody involved including the organisers of the event, the FAI and others working with homeless people. These people deserve the same recognition and support as everybody else. I am glad that the FAI is playing its part.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I agree that significant logistics are involved in organising to bring a team to the Homeless World Cup for which the FAI deserves great praise, as do the organisers and players.

Can we look forward to Ireland hosting the Homeless World Cup? Has the Minister of State ever considered such a possibility? It would be well worth considering. It is sad we do not have more televised events like this which show our homeless people doing us proud in other countries. I would welcome if representatives of the street leagues could be invited to Leinster House by the Minister of State or other Deputies. It would be a great boost to their morale. There is an enormous amount of work being done in this area, with great progress in general being made in respect of homelessness in terms of the people participating in this sport.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We would be delighted to hold that event in Ireland. If the organisations involved would like to come here during The Gathering next year we would be delighted to facilitate them in doing so. If the Deputy wishes to invite them into the Houses I would be delighted to meet with and talk to them about the problems they are experiencing. I compliment everybody involved in this event, which provides disadvantaged people with a new outlook on life through their involvement in sport. Homeless people are as entitled to be involved in sport as is anybody else. The funding is provided to ensure everyone can participate in sport. That is what we are trying to do in this country. If the Deputy brings them to the Houses, I will be delighted to meet them.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What about hosting a Homeless World Cup?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. I would welcome any help the Deputy can provide in that regard. We will give whatever support we can to organise it.