€1.3m for children to log off and get fit

THE Government has set up a €1.35m fund aimed at encouraging children to log off the internet and get involved in physical activities.

The new fund is a response to the growing obesity epidemic in Ireland and it is hoped it will result in children spending less time on smartphones and other devices.

Figures released last week by the Department of Health show a massive increase in the number of teenagers who spend more than six hours a day on the internet.

Health Minister Simon Harris said parents should encourage their children to spend more time offline and engage in physical activities.

“Statistics my department released last week do show a significant increase in the amount of time children are spending online,” he said.

“Whilst technology is a great tool for all of us, it is important that we make a special effort to ensure kids have enough exercise.”

Mr Harris is making the money available through the Healthy Ireland Fund which has a budget of €5m. The first strand of funding of around €1.35m includes a range of projects to support the National Physical Activity Plan, with a particular focus on children.

“The Government is delighted to provide funding through Healthy Ireland to try to help our kids get fit and healthy as we enter 2018,” Mr Harris said.

“The funding is for very practical things to help at a local level. It’s the idea of Healthy Ireland being very real for people.”

The 11 projects that will receive funding include cycling and swimming initiatives, a new young athletes programme with the Special Olympics and a significant expansion of the Active Schools Flag physical activity programme.