Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

Addressing female participation in sport and physical activity is an important element of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and is a core priority for myself, for Minister Martin and for the Government. The provision of good player welfare is a key element in any sport and is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).

The National Sports Policy recognises the importance of women's participation in leadership positions such as board members of NGBs. The Sports Action Plan set a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a priority to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The most recent Board Composition Snapshot, from last December, shows that the average percentage of women on boards across the sport sector in Ireland - NGBs, Local Sports Partnerships and other organisations - is 44% which is a significant increase from 24% in 2019.

Following the publication of the Future of Media Commission Report in July of 2022 and its accompanying recommendations - which was a wide ranging review of Ireland’s media environment - our new media regulator Coimisiún na Meán is currently developing a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy to progress diversity standards across the media sector.

The development of the strategy will, in part, be informed by a review of the BAI (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) Gender Action Plan and by widespread consultation with the audio and audio-visual industry as well as representative groups and other stakeholders, including sporting bodies. Some of the key principles for this strategy include the breaking down of barriers to advancement of women and members of minority groups in the media sector.

The strategy is expected to be published in the coming months, and following its publication, Coimisiún na Meán will develop a set of diversity standards for the sector, including the development of a strategic plan for sports broadcasting and promotion, and an inclusion strategy for sports reporting and broadcasting.

Under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, the published marking scheme is designed to favour projects that promote female participation in sport. Capital funding will not be allocated unless the applicant confirms in writing that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts. In relation to applications for local projects which accommodate both men and women, applicants that do not provide access to its facilities, on similar terms, to men and women will not be eligible for capital funding. Applications for local projects that do not benefit both men and women will not be eligible for capital funding unless there are alternative similar facilities available locally. In relation to applications for national/regional projects, applicants will be required to set out their facility access policy which provides for similar access for men and women. However, as one of the stated objectives of this Programme is to increase female participation, all applications (i.e. local and regional) for funding of women-only facilities will be deemed valid for consideration.

Since 2021 this Department has provided additional funding to Sport Ireland for enhanced support of female inter-county gaelic games players on an equivalent basis to that being provided for their male counterparts, further demonstrating the Government’s commitment to equality in sport. Under this scheme, Sport Ireland distributes €5.6 million in respect of the Government Support for Inter County Gaelic Games in addition to the annual investment in Games Development. This funding is payable to the GAA who, in collaboration with the LGFA, Camogie Association and the GPA, are responsible for its distribution to teams and players along with its reporting and oversight.

As you will be aware, there is an ongoing process in place relating to the integration of the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA. Conscious of the good progress being made on the integration process under the leadership of Mary McAleese, I hope that progress can be made across the board on providing equitable standards for female intercounty players.

In relation to attendance levels at games this is a matter for the relevant NGBs as all NGBs, including the GAA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA, are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for the promotion of and attendance levels at their games. Attendance at games and the decision to participate or not in any sport are ultimately questions for individual choice and decision.

Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the governance oversight of NGBs and the allocation of funding to NGBs under its various programmes. I have referred the Deputy's question in relation to funding to the gaelic games NGBs for direct reply in this regard. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.