Children should be given €130 each year to spend on sports and arts activities under a new proposal from Sinn Féin.
A new proposal from the party would see every child aged between four and 14 years old handed an ‘activity card’ loaded with funds they can spend on sports or arts activities. Sinn Féin sports spokesman Chris Andrew s believes the €127 million proposal could bring real benefits in terms of community development, education, health and wellbeing.
“The scheme would provide parents of school-going children with an activity card valued at €130, which could be redeemed for sports clubs, leisure activities, or cultural activities,” he said. “The scheme would provide parents of school-going children with an activity card valued at €130, which could be redeemed for sports clubs, leisure activities, or cultural activities,” he said. “There is traditionally a falloff in engagement with extra-curricular activities after the age of nine, so this card would encourage young children to continue participating in sporting and cultural activities - whether it’s football, dance, or music lessons.”The Dublin Bay South TD said there are ways to ensure the allocated funds would not be spent at 'for-profit' institutions. “There would be an online register, and would have to be aligned with a particular NGB and demonstrate good corporate governance,” he said. “There’s always a risk of attempts to circumvent a good idea, but I believe this activity card would be welcomed, especially given that Ireland has the lowest level of investment in sport among our European counterparts. “It would be an investment rather than a cost, and it’s something that has been successful in Iceland, with similar models working well in other countries.”Deputy Andrews said that children and parents could decide together how best to spend the money. “The idea originally came from Keith O'Brien at Cambridge Football Club in Ringsend, who told me that many young people in his area “There's a significant drop-off in young children playing sports because they can't afford the fees that clubs need to charge to operate. “He said we need something like this, and after looking at best practices across Europe, we believe this proposal would be very well-received by sports clubs.'We can't cede the streets to criminality' - Why O'Connell Street should keep hosting major events
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Sinn Fein proposes €130 activity card for childrenThe Activity Card proposal would see young people aged between four and 18 given a credit of €130 on registered sporting organisations
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