Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. I welcome the commitment to sports funding outlined in the speech of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue. I support the Government motion. There are many facets to what can and cannot be done in certain areas. Other speakers referred to problems arising and the issue of fitness levels among young people. A significant number of facilities are in place. It is not always necessary to spend a great deal of money to ensure those facilities are utilised and can make a major contribution to people's lives.

Many speakers have focused on young people. We must examine the fact that in so many towns, school gymnasia are closed at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. in the evening and no access is provided to the local community. This must change. Local people must get access to those facilities. Previous speakers referred to boredom among young people. There is no reason for any young person to feel bored. A considerable number of voluntary organisations do an excellent job to ensure that those young people who want to participate in sports can do so. They must be given encouragement to get involved in sport by their parents and also their peers.

Many speakers referred to the GAA and the tremendous facility at Croke Park. The GAA has also provided facilities in every town and parish in the country. These projects have been assisted by lottery funding. In many areas, local lotteries are run to make a contribution to GAA, soccer and rugby clubs. No matter to which political party they belong, the people involved in those organisations work as volunteers. We must recognise their outstanding contribution to encouraging young people to get involved in sport. There is an onus on everyone, regardless of whether he or she is involved in politics, to make a contribution to ensure young people have an opportunity to play whatever sports or games they like at local level.

A significant number of minority sports have been grant aided through lottery funding. That must be recognised and appreciated. The Government must look at some of the smaller sporting bodies that will encourage and give young people an opportunity to participate in other sports. Athletics is not a minority sport but it is one that does not require a great deal of finance for people to participate in it. It is a valuable sport in terms of allowing people to keep fit for life. Clay pigeon shooting has become popular in recent years with young people. Some of the people involved would not have had much of an interest in sports but young people are now competing at a high level internationally in the sport. We must support more of them. Scuba diving has also become a very popular sport. A hidden benefit to participation in this sport is that when drowning accidents, unfortunately, occur, these people make themselves available to carry out search and rescue operations. All these sporting endeavours require support.

Reference was made earlier to swimming pools. The Minister outlined the substantial funding allocated to swimming pools. We must support the right of every pupil in primary schools to learn how to swim. Perhaps it should be compulsory. Those facilities should be accessible to everyone, if not in every town they should be available in an adjoining town. Tennis and handball are two other minority sports. I met a group yesterday from Tullamore that was seeking funding for skateboarding facilities. One might ask why. I was in Galway during the summer holidays and noticed very good skateboarding facilities provided near the cathedral. I assume they were provided by either Galway County Council or Galway Corporation. The number of young people enjoying themselves at the facilities was unbelievable. We must consider giving such young people further opportunities in this area if that is what they want.

Other Ministers have made moneys available to provide playgrounds for children. In this regard, we talk about obesity and the opportunities young people have to go to playgrounds. In the past there were problems with playgrounds because of children hurting themselves and the associated insurance claims. However, the facilities in playgrounds are now of a very high standard such that very few accidents occur. Playgrounds are now surfaced with soft board-type flooring. We must make more such playgrounds available.

Other Senators have mentioned walking and the availability of footpaths. Local authorities have a lot to answer for in this regard. Housing developments are being built and major contributions are being paid by developers but county managers or local authority members are not ensuring that adequately lit link footpaths are put in place such that people in towns and villages can walk safely thereon at night rather than on the public roads. We must consider this issue very seriously.

There are many demands being made but we welcome the amount of money that has been allocated in recent years. I support the previous speakers on the Government side and thank Senator Kieran Phelan, our spokesperson on tourism and sport, for moving this motion. I thank the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism for what the Government has done regarding the provision of sports and recreational facilities.