Sinn Fein is proposing a new scheme to support Children’s participation in sport and culture. Under the scheme each child between the age of 4 and 18 would receive an Activity card worth €130. The €127 million proposal would see every child between the ages of 4 and 18 receive a card worth €130 which they could spend on extracurricular sports or arts activities.
Deputy Martin Browne says “The success of Team Ireland at the Olympics reminds us of the power of sport to unite and uplift communities, and the importance of investing in our young people.”
Research by the ESRI and Barnardos reveals that up to 20% of children drop out of individual activities due to the financial cost of the sport, and parents are struggling to cover subscription fees and the cost of kits and equipment. Only half of those involved in structured cultural activities outside school at age 9 remain involved by the time they reach 13.
Deputy Browne cites the benefits expected from the scheme in terms of community development, social cohesion and educational results, as well as health and wellbeing benefits.
The proposal is based on a similar approach in Iceland where a Recreation Card is credited with increasing youth participation and drastically reducing the number of teenagers engaged in anti-social activity, including alcohol, tobacco and drug use which used to be among the highest in Europe.
