Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister of State. We need to take a creative approach to the issue being discussed. The issue I wish to address is the waste of resources and the opportunities which are not being given. I agree with Senator Moylan's point that there are facilities throughout the country. We should try to broaden the range of leisure time experiences available to young people. As everyone knows, I am a great supporter of the GAA and help it out whenever I get the opportunity. It is doing tremendous work, as other speakers have said. Other groups, such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, are doing extraordinary work to develop talent.

If children from the inner city got the opportunity to spend a week in the west sailing or orienteering, or if they had free access to the Abbey Theatre, it would give them new experiences. For example, generations ago, among the most disadvantaged were those who ended up in Artane industrial school. By developing musical skills, Artane created the basis for half the show bands and musicians of every type. The young children who were committed to that school with no skills or no hope learned that skill. If these children had the opportunity to go horseriding, sailing, orienteering or something which they would not otherwise do, they might develop a commitment to getting involved in that activity.

I would like minority sports to be developed in the school curriculum, particularly at post-primary level. For one month each year, young people should be able to experience activities they never experienced before. I saw this work with a group of disadvantaged children in primary school who were introduced to the game of chess. They had never seen chess pieces but within one month, a number of them had become superb chess players and still play chess to this day. This happened 20 years ago and it is something about which I think all the time. We are missing an opportunity to provide access to young people. We are all aware of the recent cost assessment carried out by the Sports Council on the economic gain from sporting activity.

The Minister of State mentioned the protection of people in charge of children. I know people who have given their lives to developing sport for young people but they have reached a stage in the past ten years where they are almost afraid to do so. We know paedophiles find their way to children so they can groom them. Not only must we protect children but we must protect those who work with them and who are happy to know we have run the rule over them so they can look people in the eye and need not be overly careful. Those working voluntarily with young people are making a very significant contribution to society.