Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for giving of his time. I commend Senator Martin Conway for drafting the motion.

Sport plays a major role in everyone's life. Whether we are on or off the field, a supporter or a volunteer, participation in sport is good for our physical health and mental well-being.

Much has been said. I have volunteered for a number of years with the Special Olympics organisation. There is satisfaction in seeing Special Olympians participating. It is more about participating than winning medals, but it is a great thrill that they receive their medals and ribbons on the day. I would like to see greater support provided. They play with their own clubs or regions or whatever the case may be, but I would like to see greater emphasis being placed on and more money being diverted towards helping Special Olympians to participate. The same applies to Paralympians who have had great successes on and off the field. The satisfaction their families gain from their participation in sport is another factor.

Studies have shown that people who participate in sport or physical activity live longer. In my area of Mungret, County Limerick, we installed a disabilities playground. It caters for children with and without physical disabilities. They can use the same swings and slides. Often, the machines are built in such a way that two or three can be on the same swing or slide at the same time. It is fantastic, but there are not enough such playgrounds throughout the country. There is one in Thurles. Local authorities should be encouraged to build disability-friendly playgrounds, as it is important that people be encouraged to become involved in sport and other physical activities.

Recently, VHI started to organise park runs for people with and without physical disabilities, which are fantastic. Last week more than 250 children aged between four and 14 years participated in a park run organised at Shelbourne Park. Their families ran alongside them. It was not competitive, as encouraging the children and their families to participate is what it was all about. There are park runs all over the country. Three are organised in Limerick at the University of Limerick, Mungret Park and Shelbourne Park. The runs organised at the University of Limerick and Mungret Park are for those in older age categories.There is a competitive element in that a person receives his or her time for running the course. The organisers time a person from the time that he or she starts to the time that he or she completes. We would like to see more of this being spread around the country and more encouragement in terms of participation.

Many speakers referred to the local authorities. Certainly, the work the sports partnerships have been doing with people who have disabilities, with younger people and with older people is wonderful. They run so many classes. They go out of their way to accommodate people and to encourage them to get involved. Overall, I commend the Minister of State's Department because the sports capital grants have gone a huge way towards helping clubs to expand their services. I would like to see them continuing. I know the Minister of State has announced another lot that will be coming up soon. Perhaps we should have a special category for groups for people with disabilities. It would be great if such groups could have their own application process.