Labour publishes plan to radically transform sport in Ireland
Issued : Thursday 2 September, 2010
Labour Party spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Upton TD, has today launched the Party's plans to radically overhaul sport in Ireland. The document, entitled, A Level Playing Field, systematically addresses the interaction between the state and every aspect of sport, from recreational walking to elite athletes.
Some of the key proposals include:
- A refocusing of state spending from Capital Spending to Current Spending
- The Local Sports Partnerships will be at the heart of Sport in Ireland
- Future Capital Spending will be guided by the National Sports Facilities Strategy and will build facilities where there is a demonstrable need in the entire community. Such facilities will predominately be multi sport
- Greater oversight by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport over the Irish Sports Council and the National Governing Bodies in Sport by ay of a "Recentralisation" of policy to the Department
- Greater cooperation and joined up thinking between Sports, Schools, Local Authorities and the HSE
- Continued Support for elite athletes up to London 2012, after this review the funding and support systems for elite athletes and National Governing Bodies
Commenting at the launch in Buswell's Hotel, Dublin , Deputy Upton stated "I am delighted to launch 'A Level Playing Field', Labour's policy position on sport. Labour believes Sport is there to be enjoyed by all to whatever degree they so choose. The benefits of participation in Sport are clear; for the person in terms of social interaction, helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle and promoting self confidence; for the local community in terms of civic cohesion and active use of public facilities; and for the state in terms of National identity and healthier citizens.
Over 1.3 million people regularly participate in sport and physical exercise. 400,000 people volunteer every year to help in clubs. We believe that any Government approach to support should be based on the principle of promoting access for all, at whatever level they feel comfortable whilst at the same time providing world class supports to our elite athletes to allow them to compete at the top level globally. "
"This document is not about throwing more money at sport. It is about spending money on sport smarter. We need to move away from spending money on bricks and mortar alone. We have spent €725 million on the sports capital programme. Future state funding should be prioritised at getting people active in the existing facilities we have. This is where the Local Sports Partnerships, introduced by the Sports Council come into play. We will at least double their funding to allow them to broaden their reach."
"Future capital funding will be guided by a national strategy, the National Sports Facilities Strategy and not by short term political gain and patronage. Needs will be identified on a national or community basis. The majority of funding will go towards multi sports facilities. We will reopen the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, as swimming is the most popular sport and one of the few where a recognised infrastructural deficit remains."
"We will ensure that the Minster for Sport has greater powers of oversight over Sports spending and hence greater accountability for decisions. The days of farming out responsibility to Semi State organisations and Governments taking credit only for successes and not mistakes are over. We will work with the HSE to ensure that everyone is aware of the role physical exercise plays in staying healthy. Regular participation in sport is equivalent, in health terms, to being 14 years younger than a non participant according to the ESRI."
"Labour in Government will address the deficit of sport in schools by making Physical Education an examinable subject at Leaving Certificate. We will work with the Department of Education to ensure each school provides at least 2 hours of PE each week. We will resolve the insurance issue surrounding school gyms and playing pitches to enable communities to utilise facilities which their taxes have paid for."
Deputy Upton concluded "The Labour Party is committed in Government to ensuring universal access and participation in sport and physical exercise; to addressing social and gender inequalities; to encouraging less active groups in society to participate in sport and exercise; to further develop, where necessary, our sporting facilities and to supporting our elite athletes to ensure they can compete with the best in the world. A Level Playing Field represents a thorough, step by step process by which we the state and its citizens can get the best return on their investment in sport from the grassroots to the Olympic podium."
Note for Editors:
1) This is the third policy document in Tourism, Culture and Sport since January, following on from Raising the Stakes (remote gambling) and Extending the Welcome (Tourism)
2) Implementing this policy will not require any additional funding to sport with the exception of the funding already committed to the Local Sports Partnerships as part of a revised Betting Levy.
'A Level Playing Field' can be downloaded from our policy section.
