Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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551. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to further encourage the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into sport teams throughout Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5937/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In our increasingly multi-cultural society, the positive role and contribution of sport in fostering greater societal inclusion and integration deserves acknowledgement. I am pleased therefore to note and support the positive example cited by the Deputy.

My Department is currently developing a new national sports policy, which will reflect the need to increase sport participation levels across all sections of society, including the groups in which active and social participation rates in sport have tended to be low.  I will be publishing the new policy shortly.

Sport Ireland, which has responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, includes in its criteria for national governing body, NGB, recognition a requirement that NGBs must have a formal policy demonstrating their commitment to equity and access.  I am aware that a number of NGBs have specific programmes which aim to encourage the integration of persons such as refugees, asylum seekers and other minority groups.

Sport Ireland is in a position to provide further detail of such programmes, and I have therefore referred this matter to Sport Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.