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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Drugs and gambling in sport

Summary

Deputy Guirke asked for a cross-sport response to drugs, gambling and addiction affecting athletes. The Minister referred the matter to the Minister of State, who said the health-led drugs strategy was under way and that collaboration with sporting bodies already existed.

We knew before the pandemic that drugs had taken a hold in every town and village in the country. Over recent weeks, prominent figures in the GAA have highlighted gambling, drug use and addiction within the sport. We can be sure that these issues are not restricted to the GAA and will be evident across all sports. Will the Government work with all sporting bodies in the country to examine this issue and see what strategies and supports can be developed to assist our athletes when they find themselves in personal turmoil due to addiction and are in need of our support?

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I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to answer that question.

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Frankie Feighan Minister of State at the Department of Health Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. We are now midway through the term of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. We are looking at a health-led approach because, unfortunately, drugs are in every town and village in the country. The Garda and all stakeholders are working as hard as possible. There is already a lot of collaboration with local organisations such as the GAA. We are only too delighted to work with them.

I addressed the issue of problem gambling in the Seanad this morning. We hope that we will be dealing with the gambling industry and the Department of Justice to introduce measures which provide money for counselling and supports for those suffering with gambling addiction. Again, it is insidious and is to be found in every town and village in the country. Online gambling is a very significant issue. I thank the Deputy for raising these two very important issues.

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