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Ms Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has announced that, for the first time, every county in Ireland is participating National Recreation Week.

National Recreation Week 2012 will run from Monday 29th October to Sunday 4th November. The theme for this year’s events is ‘Recreation for Life’.

National Recreation Week 2012 will be the biggest to date with every county participating this year compared to 18 counties last year. The increase in participation is largely as a result of the efforts of the new National Play and Recreation Network which Minister Fitzgerald established earlier this year. The Network brings together for the first time key Local Authority managers and staff responsible for the local delivery of play and recreation services in communities across the country.

Announcing National Recreation Week 2012 Minister Fitzgerald said:"The aim of National Recreation Week is to help increase public awareness of the importance of recreation and in particular of physical activity"

"My message as Minister has always been simple: promoting and supporting recreation is a not a soft policy issue. Instead it is a key policy response to improving outcomes for children and supporting children’s physical, emotional and social development. Recreation is integral to children’s lives."

The Minister referred to research findings from the Growing Up in Ireland survey which showed that over a quarter of nine year old and three year old children were found to be overweight or obese; and that children who exercised infrequently were about three times more likely to be overweight or obese than those who exercised on a regular basis.

Further findings from Growing Up in Ireland also highlight how access to appropriate structured and unstructured recreation activities can have a real and lasting impact on the academic and educational achievements of children.

The Minister added: "I am delighted that, for the first time, every county in Ireland is participating National Recreation Week. I wish to commend all the local authorities involved as well as the National Play & Recreation Network which I established earlier this year. I hope National Recreation Week will encourage more young people to participate in new activities to make a positive impact on their future health and wellbeing."

National Recreation Week 2012 will involve a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Events include night walks in Roscommon, Midnight Soccer Leagues in Clonmel, the ‘Dragon of Shandon’ art street performance in Cork City, numerous Halloween activities and sports camps catering for all abilities, while in Leitrim children’s author Anna Carey will deliver workshops in local libraries on ‘The Joy of Reading for Life’.

More information is also available on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs Website　

Notes for Editors:

A List of events by county is attached, more details of each event will be made available on the websites of the local authorities and Local Sports Partnerships taking part.