Mayo concerns for children missing out on sport due to 'a lack of money'

A Mayo TD has reflected on a recent report from Barnardos showing that children are going without activities and sport due to a lack of money.

A total of 44% of parents surveyed said that they are cutting back on social activities and entertainment, 19% are cutting back on local sport activity participation and 16% are cutting back on school activities and trips.

Stated Deputy Keira Keogh: "We must close this participation gap.

"As chair of the children and equality committee, we recently published a report on child poverty and deprivation that had 60 recommendations, six of which we outlined for priority implementation.

"One of those is an activity card to tackle play poverty and remove the cost barrier to children in learning to play a sport or an instrument.

"We must ensure our children in low-income families, IPAS facilities or emergency accommodation do not miss out on the opportunity for friendship, confidence and physical development that play and extracurricular activities bring.

"There is a Programme for Government commitment on a culture card, but the activity card must go beyond arts and culture to capture sport, music and the right to play and participation."