John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I formally second the motion. I thank the Minister of State for attending. I will add briefly to Senator Conway's comments. I am delighted to ask for unanimous support for this motion calling on the Government to implement policies that give access to participation in sport for everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability. I note action 12 in the recently published sports policy outlines that in addressing the disability gradients in participation, sports inclusion disability officers will be introduced to the local sports partnerships around the country. I very much support that measure.

While progress has been made in recent years, there is still a way to go. It would be appropriate at this time, with Ireland having signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to take measures to speed up access for all with respect to leisure and sports facilities around the country. I note that Senators Dolan and Boyhan have tabled an amendment which I very much welcome and support.

Sport plays a major role in the lives of many people, including people with disabilities. It can be the vehicle that helps integrate people with disabilities into society. I checked the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, figures which show that 22% of people with a disability are members of a sports club, whereas the corresponding figure among the total population is 34%. There is still a way to go in that regard. The ESRI also found that 23.6% of the population with a disability play sports at least once a week compared with 43% of the total population. More progress is needed.

Sportsmen and sportswomen with physical, sensory and learning disabilities have done Ireland proud at home and abroad for many years, particularly in recent years. Many of them hold European and world records from Paralympic Games and Special Olympics. Their dedication and training, in many respects, is equal to or higher than that of elite athletes because they have to overcome more obstacles. Their achievements are probably even more noteworthy but they do not always get due recognition for their achievements in the media or in grant allocations. That needs to change.

Senator Conway mentioned access for people with disabilities who have a strong interest in following sports as spectators. While major improvements have been made in stadiums in recent times, people with disabilities who want to watch and participate in sports need to have better access to prime viewing areas, rather than perhaps corner areas of stadiums.

I have been lucky in my lifetime to have been involved in working with elite athletes. I know how success and dedication in that area can change lives. As a teacher, I have also trained people with perhaps low academic achievement or capabilities who got their self-confidence from their achievements in sport. That can also be achieved with people with disabilities. We want to push forward with a sense of inclusion. In that regard, we should be pushing an open door and in many respects we are.It is most appropriate at this time that progress would be made in this area. We could adopt a similar approach to this issue as we did to other policies where, for example, we had action plans for jobs and certain other areas. It was great that Ireland signed the United Nations charter but we need to move on now, rather than allowing a lull. The motion, which concerns equality in sport and access to sport, comes at an ideal time. I urge Members to give unanimous support to it.