Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme stipulates that if a private school is applying for a sports capital allocation, the facility in question must made available to the wider community. There is a wider benefit from having it made available to people other than those attending the private school. The facility may well be in a private school located in an area where there is socio-economic deprivation. It will be available to the wider community for a minimum number of hours per week. That requirement is tied in by law and it can be very positive for the wider community.

We have made significant efforts in recent years to streamline the process. In the 2017 programme, for example, the rate of invalidation declined to approximately 20% from 48% in 2012 and more than 30% in the 2014 and 2015 programmes. We have made the process much simpler.

In addition, for the first time ever, we had an appeals process in respect of the 2017 programme. I have also ensured that groups which submitted invalid applications in 2017 will have a chance to resubmit applications under the 2018 programme without having to go through the whole process again. They need only submit documentation that will validate their application. This is a progressive measure which will be fair to the applicants concerned. We also have introduced for 2018 a new provision under which applicants who submit applications with a minor fault, which until now would have resulted in immediate invalidation, will be given a second chance to rectify their submission. That is a very positive change.

Senators will be aware from dealing with the sports capital programme that one of the biggest gripes we hear from people is that applications are sometimes invalidated for minor infractions of the rules. I was keen to address that issue. The new approach I have provided for will be very important in the 2018 programme as it will give many applicants a chance to have their application assessed purely on it merits.

We already weight applications more favourably based on the socio-economic background of the applicant. This is done based on the Pobal deprivation index, which includes a number of socio-economic factors. This is very important as it is based on the location of the applicant and socio-economic grounds. The level of own-funding required is also on a sliding scale. This means an organisation in a very disadvantaged area will be required to have a much lower amount of own-funding to score maximum points in the category than for an organisation in an area that is not disadvantaged. Some 50% of all successful allocations in the 2017 programme went to disadvantaged areas. It is often forgotten and overlooked that the sports capital programme is highly progressive and brings opportunities to areas that would not have opportunities to develop sporting facilities.

In addition to the sports capital programme, the Department operates the local authority swimming pool programme, to which Senator Lawlor referred. Under this scheme, grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided towards the capital cost of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date, 51 pools have been completed under the programme, with four projects remaining. All of these projects are required to comply with the statutory requirements for disabled access.

While Project Ireland 2040 commits to further rounds of the sports capital programme in the years ahead, I was delighted that it also commits to establishing a new large-scale sport infrastructure fund for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount available under the sports capital programme. The new fund is designed to provide a more structured approach for such funding, and €100 million is being provided. An announcement in respect of when applications can be submitted will be made shortly. While the full terms and conditions of the new scheme are being finalised, the scheme will prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups, including people with disabilities. In response to Senator Buttimer's proposal, we will examine whether we can include, as part of the criteria for the large-scale scheme, his suggestion that, rather than having segregated areas, space should be made available for people with disabilities in mainstream areas of sports facilities. This is a good proposal and any architect or designer could implement such a system. We will examine the matter.

I am joined here by Mr. Peter Hogan from the Department who has done a great amount of work on the sports policy. I commend him and his colleagues on the work they did.

I acknowledge the importance of maximising accessibility to sports facilities. The overall policy aim is that facilities, especially those which have been developed using public funds, are fully accessible and available to the broadest range of users. The manner in which this aim can be achieved is subject to continuous review. Collaborative approaches between local authorities, national governing bodies of sport, local sports partnerships and others will be facilitated and encouraged to promote greater use of facilities for schools, the unemployed, older adults, people with disabilities and other relevant target groups.

The new sports policy also emphasises that swimming has particular appeal for individuals with a long-term illness or disability who are otherwise more likely not to take part in any sport or physical activity. It is, therefore, important that there is satisfactory access to hoists and accessible changing and showering facilities. In developing an action plan to implement the new sports policy, consideration will be given as to how best to ensure this access. As regards the provision of disability inclusion training, action No. 28 of the new national sports policy commits to the introduction of an annual volunteer training budget, to be jointly administered by the national governing bodies and the local sports partnerships, to ensure that volunteer training can occur across sports.This training will focus on issues such as child welfare, disability awareness, first aid, sports administration and governance and fundraising. The national governing bodies, NGBs, and local sports partnerships, LSPs, will be expected to work closely with clubs and Sport Ireland coaching in planning and delivering this training.

Disability inclusion training is provided to all staff and trainers involved in the various facilities at the National Sports Campus. The National Sports Campus runs inclusive summer camps every year and disability inclusion training is provided, particularly in advance of these camps in conjunction with Cara. In addition, the facilities at the National Sports Campus, including the National Aquatic Centre, are fully accessible, as evidenced by the National Aquatic Centre very successfully hosting the World Para Swimming European Championships this summer, catering for hundreds of para-swimmers.

The provision of facilities in schools, including sports-related ones, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills. However, the objective of a non-discriminatory approach in the provision of sports participation opportunities for those with and without a disability, whether in a school setting or otherwise, is entirely legitimate and the rectification of any deficiencies or shortcomings will be pursued.

On the preparation of a national sports facilities audit by mid-2020, which will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date database of sports facilities, it is envisaged that the audit will include publicly-accessible facilities at schools and other educational facilities. Such audits will guide decisions regarding the sport capital projects to be prioritised for public funding.

Senator Gallagher referred to what occurred in Monaghan on Monday. I was in contact with the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, about the matter on the day in question. I saw it on the news and was shocked by it. We have made the details of the relevant person in the sports capital unit available as someone to liaise with. We will investigate if or how we could assist there. We need to establish the full facts first, whether there may be insurance cover or other assistance is available. We are open to liaising and seeing how we can help with the situation. As a club man myself, for that to happen to one's dressing rooms and pitches is a really terrible thing for the club. My heart goes out to them because many volunteers have worked hard for a long time to build up a fine facility and it is a terrible pity that it happened. Hopefully, there will be a happy ending to the story but we need to establish the full facts and assess how serious is the situation. I hope I have addressed all of the issues raised by the Senators.

Senator Buttimer has left the Chamber but yesterday was indeed a fantastic day for sport in Ireland and for Cork. It was brilliant to see a football team in red winning a match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. That is a typical comment from a Kerryman. Unfortunately, Senator Buttimer is not here to defend the honour of Cork so I will not go any further with that.

I assure the House that the Minister, Deputy Ross, and I are fully committed to addressing inequalities in sports participation, particularly at a local level. These are challenges that need to be addressed but I believe that we are making good progress. The actions that are planned under the national sports policy will go a long way towards improving the situation and ensuring that opportunities exist for everyone who wants to participate in sport.

I thank the Senators for this motion. I particularly thank Senator Conway for bringing it forward. My door is always open to work with Senators on the development of sports in general and for people with disabilities.