Alliance for Insurance Reform – General Election 2020

Jan 16, 2020

Alliance asks political parties where they stand on insurance reform

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has sent a letter to every political party asking them where they stand on insurance reform in advance of General Election 2020. The text is as follows:

“In advance of the General Election, the Alliance for Insurance Reform wishes to update its members and the public regarding your party’s support for the four key reforms we are seeking, namely:

1. Reduce unfair general damages to reflect international norms and the principles already established by the higher courts – including that ‘minor injuries attract modest damages’
2. Review and re-balance the “common duty of care” to require occupiers to take a duty of care that is reasonable, practical and proportionate
3. Support a fully-resourced Garda Insurance Fraud Unit
4. Insist on insurers committing to a schedule of forecast reductions for planned reforms

Can you please confirm whether you support each of these reforms and whether they will be included in your party’s manifesto for General Election 2020?

We will be publishing your response and that of the other parties in order to update our members and the public.”

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said “Today we learn that nursing homes are threatened by the withdrawal of one of their insurers from the market. Recently it was childcare providers.  From community centres to concrete manufacturers, from playgrounds to nightclubs and restaurants to sports clubs, every aspect of Irish society and commerce is threatened by the current crisis. As we wait for replies to our letter to the political parties we have a message for them – we do not have time to wait for real reforms because this is more than an electoral issue, it is a societal issue.”

NOTE:

The Alliance brings together 35 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 37,000 members, 665,000 employees, 493,000 volunteers and 374,000 students in highlighting the negative impact of persistently high premiums and calling for real reforms that will quickly reduce liability and motor insurance premiums to affordable levels and keep them that way. Our members include:

• AOIFE Ireland (Association of Irish Festival Events)
• Car Rental Council of Ireland
• Childminding Ireland
• Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland
• Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
• Cork Business Association
• Federation of Irish Sport
• Galway Chamber
• Galway City Business Association
• Galway County Public Participation Network (PPN)
• Ireland Active
• Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
• Irish Caravan and Camping Council
• Irish Concrete Federation
• Irish Hotels Federation
• Irish Road Haulage Association
• Irish Showman’s Guild
• Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
• Irish Travel Agents Association
• ISME
• Licensed Vintners Association
• Motorsport Ireland
• Nursing Homes Ireland
• Play Activity and Leisure Ireland
• Quick Service Food Alliance
• Restaurants Association of Ireland
• Retail Excellence
• RGDATA
• Sligo PPN
• Society of the Irish Motor Industry
• South Dublin County PPN
• Sport Ireland
• Union of Students in Ireland
• Vintners Federation of Ireland
• The Wheel (Ireland’s national association for community, voluntary and charitable organisations)

The Federation of Irish Sport as members of the Alliance for Insurance Reform are supporting the work on the insurance agenda. Federation CEO Mary O’Connor met with the Alliance in advance of General Election 2020 to discuss the issues most pertinent to our members.

The Alliance have issued the below letter to political parties as part of their GE2020 work. 

Dear

In advance of the General Election, the Alliance for Insurance Reform wishes to update its members and the public regarding your party’s support for the four key reforms we are seeking, namely:

1. Reduce unfair general damages to reflect international norms and the principles already established by the higher courts – including that ‘minor injuries attract modest damages’
2. Review and re-balance the “common duty of care” to require occupiers to take a duty of care that is reasonable, practical and proportionate
3. Support a fully-resourced Garda Insurance Fraud Unit
4. Insist on insurers committing to a schedule of forecast reductions for planned reforms

Can you please confirm whether you support each of these reforms and whether they will be included in your party’s manifesto for General Election 2020?

We will be publishing your response and that of the other parties in order to update our members and the public.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Boland
Director
Alliance for Insurance Reform

Statement from Mary O’Connor CEO Federation of Irish Sport

Jan 10, 2020

STATEMENT FROM MARY O’CONNOR CEO FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT

“The Federation welcomes the announcement of the €77m allocated to major sports projects across the country under the large scale sports capital infrastructure fund (LSSIF) which was announced today, 10th of January.

Development of facilities for sport and physical activity is a key action of the National Sports Policy and the investment announced today represents another major step in the implementation of the Policy.

It is key that the continued investment in current expenditure for people and programmes also continues at the current rate to ensure Sport can  fully realize the potential of the capital projects being announced today”.

For further details on the projects receiving funding go to https://www.gov.ie/en/news/bc07b0-over-77m-allocated-to-major-sports-projects-across-the-country/ 

Mary O’Connor, CEO Federation of Irish Sport

Federation of Irish Sport announces recipients of ‘Showcase your Sportswomen Live’ fund in partnership with Pundit Arena and supported by Sport Ireland.

Dec 10, 2019

• Cycling Ireland, Confederation of Irish Golf, Irish Flying Disc Association, Rowing Ireland and Volleyball Ireland awarded live streaming opportunities for 2020
• Visibility is key to growing interest and participation for women in sport. 

Today, the Federation of Irish Sport announced the recipients of the ‘Showcase your sportswomen live’ fund which is supported by Sport Ireland and delivered by Pundit Arena. Recipients will be awarded the services of Pundit Arena to live stream a sporting event where there is female participation. The fund is operated with thanks to Women in Sport funding provided by Sport Ireland for 2020.

The streaming package will see 5 sporting events brought to life across Pundit Arena and the NGBs platforms including elements of social media promotion and support, key interviews and the event streaming itself. The events covered in 2020 will include Track Cycling International, Ultimate Frisbee test match v Great Britain, Level Par Golf Conference, Splash ‘n’ Dash @ Grand Canal Doc and Volleyball National League Finals.

Speaking about the recipients, Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said “We are delighted to announce the worthy recipients today. The volume and quality of applications was exceptionally high and we are excited to be able to bring such fantastic and innovative events to life in 2020. It is vital that women in sport are given the opportunity to be as visible as possible and that such events are shared with as wide an audience as possible to help grow participation across all sports.”

Women in Sport Lead for Sport Ireland, Nora Stapleton speaking at the announcement said, “Sport Ireland is delighted to provide investment to the Federation of Irish Sport through the Women in Sport programme. Visibility is one of the key target areas of the Women in Sport Policy and thus supporting initiatives such as this means that visibility and profile of our female role models in sport is increasing.”

The Federation and Pundit Arena look forward to working with the successful NGBs throughout 2020 to bring their events to life and showcase the talent, skill and entertainment on offer in their respective sports. Further details on the times and dates of streaming activities will be available early in the new year.

The fund is the latest piece of work by the Federation, who are also involved in the 20×20 campaign, to help increase the visibility of women in sport.

For further information contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie

ENDS

Dormant Accounts Funding 2019 Announced

Dec 4, 2019

Ministers Ross and Griffin announce Dormant Accounts Funding for Sport and Physical Activity Measures

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, recently announced an investment package of €4.2 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for a wide range of sport and physical activity measures countrywide.

The investment will be administered by Sport Ireland and will aim to engage with communities across the country, focusing on people with disabilities, people who are educationally disadvantaged and from disadvantaged communities.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Ross said: “I am delighted to announce €4.2 million in funding for sport and physical activity measures through the Dormant Accounts Fund. This funding will enable our Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies to deliver a comprehensive programme of initiatives under the National Physical Activity Plan and in line with the National Sports Policy. We are committed to giving more people the opportunity to partake in sport, with all the mental and physical benefits it brings. My Department will continue to work closely with Sport Ireland, the Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies of Sport and other funded bodies to ensure that the programme of initiatives resulting from this funding is inclusive, accessible and regionally balanced.”

Minister Griffin added: “The Dormant Accounts Funding has been vital to the growth of community and social cohesion through sport in disadvantaged areas around the country. The investment will support the continuation of this work but will also see the implementation of new initiatives and programmes which will further contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.”

Among the successful Dormant Accounts Fund projects announced are six new Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, with additional funding for 30 existing Hubs.

Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is delighted with the continued investment of Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs. These hubs play a key role in bringing people together and providing a home for local clubs and sports organisations. The announcement of six new Hubs with additional funding for 30 existing Hubs is very welcomed, making it easier for people to get involved in sport and lead a more active life.”

Highlighting new initiatives funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “Key to the work of Sport Ireland is the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to partake in sport, no matter what their circumstances. The Dormant Accounts Funding will enable Sport Ireland, supported by the network of Local Sports Partnerships and the National Governing Bodies for Sport, to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities.”

As with previous funding announced, the investment is closely aligned with the National Sports Policy and the National Physical Activity Plan.  A particular emphasis is placed on implementing programmes to promote physical activity, making sport and physical activity accessible to people with a disability and the development of programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity.

Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Una May, highlighted the impact of the projects funded to date: “Collaborative initiatives across the sports sector and capacity building programmes continue to have a positive impact on local communities. Programmes such as Youth Leadership offers specialised Sports Leadership training for young people providing a stepping stone into employment and also into further education or training.  The programme, along with the dedicated Volunteer Training & Support Programme will develop trained volunteers who can assist with the delivery of sport and recreation initiatives within their community. As highlighted in the recent Irish Sports Monitor 2019 Mid-Year Report, volunteerism in sport is increasing with over 875,000 adults having volunteered during the past year. Volunteerism has a significant and positive impact on the volunteers and their local communities and it is great to see the continued investment in such programmes.”

For Further Information:

David Gash, Communications Manager, Sport Ireland

Email: dgash@sportireland.ie

Tel: 01-8608800

Caroline O’Mahony, Communications Executive, Sport Ireland

Email: comahony@sportireland.ie

Tel: 01-8608857

Breakdown of Dormant Accounts Funding:

Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs

Dormant Accounts Funding will be allocated to establish and develop six new CSPAHs, with additional funding allocated to 30 existing hubs.

The objective of the CSPAHs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations.

The Hubs provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved in and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle.

Applications to establish and develop CSPAHs were sought from Local Sports Partnerships in a competitive bid process under three theme areas: Community Setting, Schools Based Setting and an Outdoor Setting.

Youth Leadership

This project involves the development and delivery of specialised Sports Leadership training for young people providing a stepping stone for learners into employment and also into further education or training. This programme will develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and/or recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the learner.

It will also assist to develop trained volunteers who can assist with the delivery of sport and recreation initiatives within their community. The initiative will provide training for young people, keeping them engaged, increasing their responsibility and developing their confidence and self-esteem and will provide an opportunity for lifelong volunteering. The programme has the potential to impact on both early school dropout in disadvantaged areas and dropout rates from sport within the targeted age group.

Volunteer Training & Support Programme

The volunteer supports initiative aims to successfully identify and assist targeted individuals who are volunteering in disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities to gain community sport and physical activity leadership skills e.g. as coaches, leaders, referees, committee members etc. This fund will also be used to support Community Coaching programmes or to support standalone training opportunities to support targeted volunteers. This funding stream is only open to individuals operating in a volunteer capacity within disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities. This project will contribute to the development of confidence amongst participants, and eventually in the community through the subsequent volunteer sport development work carried out by participants.

Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports

The Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports initiative will provide capital support to the implementation of the national SIDP. The fund aims to reduce the barriers to sports participation for people with a disability through the provision of equipment and minor infrastructure. The fund can be used to purchase a range of disability sports equipment and enabling infrastructure including hoists, hand rails, fittings, mats, wheel chairs etc. Applicants were tasked to identify equipment or infrastructure works which will increase participation in sport or physical activity for people with a disability in their county.

Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives

Opportunities for young people living in disadvantaged communities to experience outdoor adventure sports is limited due to natural environments, distance from traditional outdoor settings (forests, mountains etc.) where activities are usually offered, and need for equipment, supervision, training and support to engage in these sports. The objective of the Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives is to create new opportunities for people living in disadvantaged communities to participate in outdoor adventure sports in urban settings. The programme also seeks to create new opportunities for at risk youth in disadvantaged communities and people with a disability.

Promoting Sporting Integrity through values based and ethical decision making education in sport

Sport Ireland is currently developing a position in respect to values-based sport and would like to further enhance this position by developing templates and education resources for stakeholders to implement values-based sport.

Research into the use of behavioural science to increase participation in sport and physical activity among individuals in disadvantaged areas

This project aims to conduct research into the use of behavioural science to increase participation in sport and physical activity among individuals in disadvantaged areas. This measure is being delivered under Actions 44 (Implement and support participation programmes with a focus on disadvantaged communities) and 52 (Establish a research programme to inform policies aimed at improving PA levels in each of the target groups) of the National Physical Activity Plan. The measure is also in line with Action 10 of the National Sports Policy which commits to using behavioural science insights in the development of participation programmes targeted at low participant groups.

Value Of Sport – National Physical Activity Promotion Campaign

The purpose of this funding is to conduct an annual evidence based national physical activity promotion campaign. The task is to create a public awareness campaign around the ‘value of sport.’ The overall goal of this project is to communicate the value of sport and the intangible emotionally-led benefits of sport. The campaign will demonstrates the positive effect that sport has on society and specifically to people with disabilities and those living in disadvantaged communities.

Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs – Awareness Campaign  

To support Sport Ireland’s lead role in the delivery of Action 11 and Action 14 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, a comprehensive awareness campaign will be carried out to support the work of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs.

The campaign will support the objective of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, which is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations. It will champion the Hubs as sources of information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved in and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyles.

Consulting with Young People Project – Young Voices in Sport Toolkit

The aim of the Consulting with Young People Project is to give volunteers and members of staff in sporting organisations a clear understanding of what they need to do to involve their young members in decision making at every level from local sports clubs to national governing bodies. Young members of sporting organisations have the right to participate in the decisions that affect their sporting lives.

Volunteers and members of staff in sporting organisations can support the long-term engagement of their young members in the sports they love by listening to their views and acting on them. Sporting organisations that involve young members in decision-making are more relevant to them, more sustainable and more likely to thrive. By using the activities in the toolkit, it will be possible for sporting organisations to find out what in important to their members in the 10-18 age group.

Sports Disability Training Framework (Cara – Sport Inclusion Ireland)

This fifth phase of Dormant Accounts funding in 2019 is designed to support the further development and delivery of specialised disability training courses through Cara. CARA will continue delivering on actions with a specific focus on sport and physical activity for people with disabilities.

Project FLAME

Project FLAME is one of the first programmes in Ireland to explore multiple components of movement competence with 12-16 year olds. Provisional results from the 2018 Project FLAME study involving over 300 Irish adolescents, aged 12 to 16 years old, observed that those participants in receipt of the movement-orientated intervention improved their physical literacy levels, in comparison to their control counterparts (those not in receipt of the Project FLAME intervention). These provisional findings suggest that the Project FLAME intervention can improve adolescent movement skills, and patterns, however, the evidence to-date for this study have been rooted in the school and education settings only.

Get Ireland Running

Athletics Ireland wishes to expand a number of Get Ireland Running Programmes targeting areas of disadvantage while also piloting some new initiatives around integration and inclusion. The programmes are directly linked to Athletics Ireland current strategy (2017-2020) which aims at ‘continuing to grow our membership through our existing club base, enhanced coaching and through new clubs and recruitment from schools, with specific focus on disadvantaged areas’.

Get Ireland Cycling

Cycling Ireland, working in collaboration with their clubs, partners and communities will coordinate and deliver opportunities, across a suite of programme offerings, to people in socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged areas.

Get Ireland Swimming

Swim Ireland will continue roll out projects under the overall ‘Get Ireland Swimming’ banner in support of the National Physical Activity Plan and the Swim Ireland mission which is ‘to encourage participation, develop excellence and regulate the sport”.

Get Ireland Walking

Sport Ireland developed the Get Ireland Walking initiative, in collaboration with a number of national partner organisations in 2013 and coordinates the programme with Mountaineering Ireland with financial support from the Department of Health. The programme seeks to grow the culture of walking in Ireland and support the establishment of community walking groups throughout the country.

NGB Community & Disability Sports Projects

Funding was made available to National Governing Bodies of Sport to support the National Physical Activity Plan under:

Action 47 ‘Continue to support the work of the National Governing Bodies of sport in implementing programmes to promote physical activity’,

Action 48 ‘Develop programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity and sport’

Action 49 ‘Extend existing and developing programmes for physical activity for people with disabilities and their families to enhance and deliver a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme’.

Ireland succeeds at British Isles Short Mat Championship

Nov 28, 2019

Ireland has had a very successful British Isles Short Mat Championship held in Aberdeen. With 11 trophies at stake Ireland came away with 8 of them.

Ireland won the Premier team competition and the ‘A’series team competition. They also picked up both singles title with Donegal’s Andrew Steele winning the Premier singles and Monaghan’s Mark Hamilton winning the ‘A’ series singles title. Both triples were also won with Oriel’s Gerry McCabe, Kieran Trainor and John Murnahan winning the Premier event while Karl Bradshaw, Michael McGrade and Paula Bradshaw won the ‘A’ series competition. In the rinks,Andy Leckey, Lisa Richardson, Gary Cuthbert and Jal Richardson.  The McDermott Cup for the outstanding country also went to Ireland.

Pics in order

Gerry O’Hare Irish team manager receives the McDermott Cup

Premier Singles winner Andrew Steel with IIBA President Flo McNally

‘A’ series Singles winner Mark Hamilton

Premier triples winners Kieran Trainor, Gerry O’Haire and John Murnigham

‘A’ series triples winners Michael McGrade, Paula Broadshow and Karl Bradshaw

CARA 2019 National Seminar for Inclusion

Nov 28, 2019

Cara in partnership with Sport Ireland were delighted to host the 2019 National Seminar for Inclusion. The theme for this year’s seminar will be on ‘Children and Young People with Disabilities’. Over 200 delegates representing 113 different national and international organisations attended this sold out event, all focussed on increasing and improving opportunities for children with disabilities to be active.

When we initially set about planning for this event, we really felt it was essential to keep children and you people at the core of this seminar. From the planning of this and right into the event, the voices of children and young people with disabilities were present and heard by all who were in attendance.

With spellbinding key notes addresses from young Dubliner Chris Watts, and broadcaster Brendan O’Connor, the audience was captivated with their stories, which then led to interesting discussions across the key areas of sport, physical activity and physical education. There were many key learnings taken from this event, which we hope to share in the near future.

A sincere thank you to all who attended, were involved in or who supported the 2019 National Seminar for Inclusion.

To find out more, please visit our website www.caracentre.ie