Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Boylan's comments on what is happening in Gaza at the moment. It is horrific what is coming out, and we can all call for an immediate ceasefire, given what we are seeing on our screens day in, day out and what we are hearing. I want to put on record my support for that call.

Yesterday, I had the chance to visit the Athy and Castledermot youth diversion project in its new premises in Athy. I want to outline the great work that Jamie, Lindsey and Eimear are doing there. They are helping young people aged 12 to 17 through personal and social development day in, day out. It is important to acknowledge that. The project provides individual group work, education and employment supports, mentoring and advice, family support and social activities such as training, cooking, art, sports and outdoor pursuits. Most importantly, it looks after those who are vulnerable. The project takes referrals from schools, parents and community groups, and bringing young people in with like-minded young people and showing them that there is another path. That is always important, and something we should all support. The funding for this comes from the Department of Justice's Dormant Accounts Fund. It is important that continued funding is provided for those young people.

They are also looking at starting up a project for even younger people. That is what we were told yesterday, and that should be supported by the Department as well. Unfortunately, they are getting referrals for those who are younger than 12. They need to start a project for them, and if such funding was provided, it would be very worthwhile for the project as it is. I want to acknowledge that, and the great work the project does day in, day out.

The second issue I want to raise relates to sports funding. The Acting Leader recently visited Kildare Town AFC with the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I visited it on the Thursday night before that. I was struck by what the club is doing in trying to provide a full-sized astroturf playing surface for almost 400 members. The population of Kildare town is almost 10,000 at the moment. We need to have a discussion in this House on sports funding and facilities and I ask the Acting Leader to organise it with the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne.

I want to put on record my thanks for all the support that been given under the sports capital programme. It has made a difference, and I know Kildare Town AFC has made an application as well. Unfortunately, the club is turning away young boys and girls at the moment. There is absolutely no doubt about that, and the reason is facilities. This is something I have raised before. My colleague Peter Horgan, following a recent visit to Avondale United in Cork, told me a similar story and I think it is similar story right around the country. I ask the Acting Leader to ask the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne to come before us because sports facilities play such an important part in the social fabric of all our communities, and it is time we properly looked at funding sports facilities in this country.