Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt, who chairs Stormont’s All Party Group on Sport, has called on the Department of Education to meet officials from the Irish Football Association and Ulster GAA, to explain the decision to cut funding for the primary schools’ Sports Programme.

Mike Nesbitt said: “The decision flies in the face of several pieces of evidence. Firstly, there is THE commitment in the last (draft) Programme for Government that “Our children and young people have the best start in life”. Then, there is the legal, or statutory, requirement for schools to offer younger children physical education. Thirdly, the decision flies in the face of the growing trend of obesity among young people.

“I understand very well that the Department of Education is facing unprecedented budgetary pressures. But this decision needs to be explained and I understand the sports bodies have made repeated requests for a meeting without success. It seems perverse that officials appear unwilling to take time to engage with the IFA and Ulster GAA to talk them through the decision-making process.”