Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had discussions with an association (details supplied) on bringing payments to the international women’s team in line with payments made to the men’s international team in view of the fact that a number of other countries have brought payments in line; her views on such a move from the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27495/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to work being done by the Labour Party sports spokesperson, Senator Wall, as well as by Deputy Ó Ríordáin. Has the Minister had any discussions with the FAI to bring payments to the women’s international team in line with payments made to the men’s international team, given that several countries have brought these payments for appearance fees in line? Does the Minister support such a move?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has dedicated funding for women's sport over many years with considerable Exchequer funding allocated to programmes aimed at encouraging women's active and social participation in sport. I would highlight in this regard the Sport Ireland women in sport programme established in 2005 which has provided funding for sport of more than €20 million to a broad range of programmes aimed at increasing participation of women and girls. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Federation of Irish Sport 20X20 campaign. The Minister and I already have had discussions to support this initiative. We had a recent meeting with Mary O'Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, who is very involved in this campaign.

I am aware that sporting associations in several countries have decided to bring into line payments of their international men's and women's teams. This is a welcome if long overdue change. I encourage all our sporting bodies to consider this and more broadly the parity of treatment of international men and women's teams at senior and junior levels.

In respect of the sporting body referred to by the Deputy, the national governing body of sport respects the autonomy of all the associations, competitions and selection of teams. Payments to international players is a matter for the association itself. We do not have a specific role in determining the level of payments for international teams selected by this or any other national governing body.

It is important, however, to recognise that when members of the international team referred to by the Deputy highlighted the challenges in their remunerations and conditions, the issue was raised with the association on several occasions. In 2018, the then Minister provided additional funding to support the women's international team. In 2019, despite a number of challenges, the Department and Sport Ireland made arrangements to ensure the funding allocated to the women's international team was dispersed to it specifically and used to support its preparations for international fixtures.

I thank the Deputy for highlighting this important issue. The Minister and I will be engaging with the FAI and the 20X20 campaign to ensure this is addressed. The programme for Government specifically highlights the importance of women's participation in sport. It will also be highlighted in the context of an international and national basis.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is some encouragement to be taken from the reply. Last month, the English Football Association joined associations from Brazil, Australia, Norway and New Zealand in bringing the payments for appearance fees for their women's team in line with their men's team. Players on the Irish men's team get €2,500 as a basic appearance fee before any win bonus or other extras. Our women get €500, 20% of what the men get. The Department gives the FAI €800,000 a year. Will the Minister of State ensure that money comes with strict conditions for appearance fees? The book Champagne Footballwas released in recent weeks by Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan. Any person with a love of this sport has been shocked by what they have read in this book. Can the Minister of State imagine being a woman player at club or international level seeing millions of euro washing around the FAI while having to pay to play in the Champions League on behalf of her club? It is disgraceful.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have not read the book yet but I have read many of the articles associated with it. The Deputy is correct in how the funding allocation occurred over many years. To be clear, we will engage seriously with the FAI and Sport Ireland on this. We have seen leadership across many other associations.

The programme for Government is specific around targets. The national sports policy asks all national governing bodies to set gender diversity targets and to develop equality action plans. Support will be provided for dedicated leadership training programmes for women, including governance and technical training.

Sport Ireland is monitoring the progress and reports on it annually. In the context of the overall women's programme from 2005 to date, €20 million has been invested through the national governing bodies and local sports partnerships. The recently published Irish sports monitor shows the gender gap in participation continues to decline from 4.5% at the end of 2017 to 3.4% in the 2019 report.

The Deputy is correct in his summation and reflection on what is happening internationally. We should show leadership in an Irish footballing context. We will be seriously engaging with that. With the 2020 campaigns, we will meet broader equality targets in sport.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is a role for men players and men in the game. They have not shown solidarity with the women over the years. During the 2017 strike, they were noticeably absent through their silence in supporting their women colleagues who were fighting for basics such as tracksuits as well as pay and conditions. We have seen it in other sports with Andy Murray being a strong ally for equality of pay for women in tennis. We have not seen it in football, however. It is absolutely shameful.

Footballers are publicly and laudably supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. If they can do that, they can also support gender equality in their own sport and do it vociferously. As a young schoolboy player, I paid my €2 sub. I knew if my dreams ever came true, all the gifts and allowances that come from being a professional footballer would befall on me as a man. There are women playing international football and the Champions League who are still paying their subs every week or month to play for their country or team. It just cannot go on.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tennis has shown much leadership in equality, particularly around the majors. It is probably one of the few sports which has shown real equality. I support that as well as those associations in football which are doing that.

The promotion of women's participation in sport is a policy priority for the Government and includes women's football. There has been extraordinary participation in soccer by women and girls which I would love to see continue. It is important to recognise that the FAI and its staff have done excellent work to address the participation gap. There were challenging times in the past 18 months, but funding has been restored to FAI programmes, including those aimed at women and girls.

In the context of the diversity and equality action plans, I would like to see much better equality and diversity on the boards of all of these national governing bodies. That is what Sport Ireland is trying to promote. We saw the Olympic Federation set a 40% target at its annual general meeting. It is a priority for us that we see funding prioritised and greater equality achieved at structural levels.