6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his views on the findings of the recent report by the GAA national demographics committee; the measures his Department will implement to address issues relevant to this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8648/26]
Sentiment score: 0.01
The Minister and the Minister of State will be very familiar with the findings of the report of the GAA's national demographic committee. As we all know, the GAA, along with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association, comprise over 2,300 clubs and they have 760,000 members. We are not just talking about sporting organisations. We all know that these clubs are a key and integral part of every community. In so many instances, they shape local community life. It is essential that the Government and the Oireachtas listen to and act on the concerns outlined in that report. Recently, the GAA made an excellent presentation to the Oireachtas housing committee. I hope the Minister and Minister of State encourage all the officials in their Department and in the agencies that come under its remit to study the transcript of that particular committee meeting. There were fabulous contributions by both members and the witnesses.
Sentiment score: 0.20
I welcome the Minister's response. I fully appreciate the understanding that the Minister and the Minister of State have of the concerns outlined by the GAA. In my own county of Cavan, we have had a welcome increase in population, but there is a population imbalance and demographic imbalance. The east of County Cavan is in the commuter belt of Dublin. The clubs there face pressures because of increasing numbers of participation, which is great. The belt from Castlerahan, Ballyjamesduff, Virginia, Mullagh to Bailieborough and Kingscourt has experienced huge population growth. The Minister is familiar with the geography of west Cavan. Blacklion's Shannon Gaels, Swanlinbar's club or Corlough all face particular challenges due to population decline, particularly within a certain age profile. My own club of Templeport St. Aidan's, and our neighbouring club, Corlough, have an arrangement where the players from Corlough have a deviation that they can play in competitive competitions with my own club of Templeport. They still retain their own identity, which is a very good thing. When the Minister has the opportunity to visit those clubs, he will see the excellent facilities they have. We need to put on the record that we value the work of those volunteers in ensuring sports are available for all age groups in every community.
Sentiment score: 0.42
I thank the Minister. As the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach knows, thankfully, in practically every parish in Cavan-Monaghan, we have excellent community facilities. I know that many communities in Dublin and the highly populated areas would love to have those facilities. As the Minister knows well, we have the social infrastructure in rural communities. We have community centres, schools, GAA and other sporting organisations. What we need is population. Perhaps the Minister and the Minister of State could try to continue the influence on other Departments on the need for investment in rural Ireland. We need more jobs and, as the Minister said, more young families. We have to improve in some way the availability of housing for young couples. Planning is essential, as are changes to the rural planning guidelines. Only last night, I engaged with the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, who fully understands the difficulties. Where we have the infrastructure, the community facilities, education, health and other social facilities, we need people. The Government must try to ensure, through every means available to it, that more and more young people are in a position to live in rural communities.
Sentiment score: 0.22