Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I am delighted to be here. I thank all of the Senators who have contributed. I particularly acknowledge the submission of this motion by Senator Conway. He has been a great champion for disability issues and sporting issues. This motion combines both areas and I commend the Senator on raising it.

I am firmly of the view that everyone, no matter their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity at a level of their choosing. There are many benefits to be gained from participating in sport and physical activity and these benefits apply equally to everyone. I can inform the House that this Government is working to increase the levels of participation in sport by people with disabilities and to address the barriers that prevent or discourage people from participating in sport. The year 2018 has been excellent for Irish sport so far and I am delighted to acknowledge the wonderful successes by many of our very talented disabled sportsmen and women. Most recently, we have seen excellent, inspirational performances in the World Para Swimming European Championships held at the National Aquatic Centre, with the gold medal won by Ellen Keane being a particular highlight. The opening ceremony and the beginning of events in August was a great day on which to be there. It was a great occasion not just for para swimming but for the country in general. The World Para Athletics European Championships also produced fine performances including six gold medals from Jason Smyth, Greta Streimikyte, Orla Barry, Noelle Lenihan and Niamh McCarthy. So far this year 24 medals - 15 gold, four silver and five bronze - have been won across the para sports of cycling, swimming, athletics, and table tennis. This is a wonderful achievement and bodes well for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, to which Senator Hopkins referred.

Senators will be aware that the new national sports policy for the period up to 2027 was published in July. The policy contains 57 actions and is backed up with an envisaged doubling of annual State investment in sport to €220 million in 2027. The Government recognises the scale of the challenge we face in achieving a more physically active population and we are committed to increasing our financial investment to achieve our shared ambition. I am very determined to try to make that start as soon as possible. I want to get started on that in the current budgetary discussions. The policy specifically acknowledges that the benefits of active participation in sport are not enjoyed equally by all sectors in our society. Participation levels in sport are significantly smaller among lower socio-economic groups, people with a disability, older people and, to a lesser extent, women. Compared with the overall participation level of 43% for all adults, research shows that the participation level for those with any disability is 23.6%. It is accepted that addressing these gradients has to be central to the achievement of the overall target of the new policy, which is to increase participation from 43% to 50% by 2027. There are no simple answers. The reasons for non-participation vary within and between groups and can change over the life course. There is a need to better understand why individuals who believe in the benefits of sport and exercise feel unable to participate. Behavioural science might help us understand what lies at the heart of these decisions not to participate. For people with disabilities we know that access issues not just around equipment or physical infrastructure but also around softer issues such as attitudes and skill sets of individuals providing services or delivering programmes are often cited as reasons for non-participation. Senator Dolan also referred to the issue of access and transport, which is another issue. That is certainly a factor.

The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 contains four specific actions aimed at addressing the disability participation gradients. Under action 9 we will redouble efforts to address inequalities in sports participation as part of the local sports plan development process. Resources will be directed to promote the broadest possible participation, ensuring accessibility and quality experiences for all groups. Funding will be prioritised on programmes which focus on those groups with lower levels of participation, especially those in lower socio-economic groups, persons with a disability and older people. Under action 10, in prioritising initiatives and programmes to engage groups with lower participation levels, we will use behavioural insights and other research to better understand issues around non-participation.

Under action 11, dormant account funding, which is specifically aimed at people with disabilities, will be used in the roll-out of initiatives such as the community sports hubs on a nationwide basis. Under action 12, we intend to address the disability gradients in participation through the introduction of a national network of sports inclusion disability officers aligned to the local sports partnerships network. These sports inclusion disability officers would be expected to work closely with relevant national governing bodies of sport, the disability sector, leisure centre providers, the CARA Centre and other stakeholders in providing opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport.. I am delighted that the CARA Centre is represented in the Gallery today by Ms Niamh Daffy and Mr. Pat Flanagan. I compliment them on the great work they do through the CARA Centre and I welcome them to the House. I look forward to working closely with them further in future. The Minister, Deputy Ross, and I highlighted this important action at the launch of the new national sports policy in July.

I agree that it is important that we set ambitious goals and targets around the inclusion of people with disabilities. As outlined in the national sports policy, we will shortly be establishing a sports leadership group to agree an action plan and to prioritise the actions to be taken to give effect to the policy. The setting of goals for the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport will become a priority for the sports leadership group, and I expect that we will see ambitious targets set in this regard. I assure Members that the disability sector will be strongly represented on that body.

As the statutory body for the development of sport, Sport Ireland, the Government's sports agency, works closely with the national governing bodies and other sporting organisations. In 2017, Sport Ireland provided more than €3.5 million to these bodies and organisations specifically to provide and promote opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport and physical activity. A similar amount is being allocated again in 2018. As well as Paralympics Ireland and Special Olympics, Sport Ireland recognises and funds a number of disability specific bodies, including Irish Wheelchair Association Sport, Deaf Sports Ireland and Vision Sports Ireland. In addition, Sport Ireland supports national and international disability focused events. Events supported this year include the World Para Swimming European Championships at the National Aquatic Centre, the Special Olympics Ireland Games, the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Youth World Games, the Blind Tennis World Championships and the Watersports Inclusion Games.

I acknowledge Senator Byrne's volunteerism and contribution to the Special Olympics. She was telling me what a great weekend she had at the games recently. I commend her on her great commitment to those games. I was also in the House before discussing with her the boom in the swimming pool in the University of Limerick. I know that is an issue on which she has worked hard.

Sport Ireland also funds and partners local sports partnerships, primarily through the work of the sports inclusion disability programme. This programme offers opportunities for people to get involved in sport and physical activity in their local area. At present, funding is provided for 19 social inclusion disability officers in 21 local authority areas. As I mentioned, we intend to introduce a dedicated programme for disability sport through the deployment of a sport inclusion disability officer in all 26 local sports partnerships countrywide. I know that is something in which Senator O'Mahony is very interested. I am very keen to make further progress on that. Senator Lawlor referred to the last time his county was in the All-Ireland final. I congratulate him on the 20th anniversary of its famous win. It was just a few days ago. I am sure Senator O'Mahony remembers 1998.