Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Seanad Éireann:- recognises the central role of sport in Ireland and its enrichment of people’s lives both as active participants and as a country;
- values the better physical and mental health and well-being that is to be gained through sports participation;
- values the achievements of Ireland’s sporting heroes;
- recognises that sport and recreation also have other benefits for the nation both economic in terms of sports tourism and employment opportunities;
- supports the Government’s efforts to increase participation and interest in sport; and
- calls upon the Government to continue to improve and develop sports facilities at national, regional and local level to make Ireland an internationally recognised destination for competitions in as many sports as possible; and to build upon previous successes and work to attract world class competitions to Ireland such as, for example, the rugby and golf world cups, international cycling and equestrian competitions and other high profile events that will have economic, social and reputational benefits for Ireland.".

This is a very important motion. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. The Minister's Department and the Government are firmly committed to the continued development of sport in this country. At a time of economic difficulty, sporting events and successes are vital in lifting the country's spirits and they are a proud reflection on our nation's potential for success. We appreciate the important contribution that sport also makes to building a healthy nation. This Government continues to promote greater participation in all sports and it will provide the environment for our men and women in sports to succeed on the international stage.

It is very important that we recognise the role of the various sporting organisations in developing high-performance individual athletes and sporting participation at all levels across the country. We must ensure all available funds are distributed fairly among those most in need of assistance. I acknowledge that the Government will continue to provide support for GAA players through the Irish Sports Council. Sports tourism has a significant part to play in our country and particularly with regard to jobs in the country. The Minister will target available resources at developing and co-ordinating niche tourism products and activity packages that will be attractive to international visitors, focusing on food, sport, culture, eco-tourism activity breaks, water-based recreation, hill-walking festivals, etc.

Event tourism will be prioritised and continue to bring major sporting events to Ireland, such as the successful Volvo Ocean Race and the Solheim and Ryder Cups. I propose that we consider the possibility of staging other international sports in this country, particularly in the golf area, as our golfers are in the top 20 of the world. We have sporting facilities and we catered for the Walker Cup at Portmarnock in 1991, which was a tremendous success. The World Cup of Golf is held biennially in different countries and our golfers deserve to participate in that competition on this island.

Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025 is a new national framework for action to improve the health and well-being of our country over the coming generations. It reflects the international experience of a new commitment to public health, with a focus on prevention. It will include Departments, local authorities, public bodies, businesses, employers, sports and voluntary groups, communities and families. It is a framework that will bring together people and organisations the length and breadth of the country into a national movement with one aim of supporting all of us in enjoying the best possible health and well-being. It is designed to include Departments, local authorities and public bodies, businesses and employers, sports and voluntary groups, communities and families.

Participation in sport is important. According to the Irish Sports Monitor for last year, adult participation levels in sport are continuing to increase, which is to be welcomed. The report demonstrates a continuation of the trend, with active participation in sport increasing from 45% of adult population to 47% since 2011. Participation in team-based sports remains steady and participation in individual sports and personal exercise such as running, cycling and swimming has risen considerably. It is good to note that the increases were strongest in younger age groups and particularly those under 25, as well as the older age group of people over 55. There was a notable increase in participation among the unemployed. Improving health and fitness is the most common motivator for both genders to participate, and some differences exist in respect of other motivation.

The funding provided to sport by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in recent years was €81.9 million in 2011, €77.7 million in 2012, €72.3 million in 2013 and €93.4 million for 2014, which totals €325.3 million. That is at a time when resources are scarce, so the Minister should be congratulated on the amount. The total includes €177 million in current funding channelled through the Irish Sports Council.

This supports the work of the national governing bodies of sport and a wide range of programmes, through the local sports partnerships, to increase participation rates. As we are all aware, participation in sport can bring benefits in terms of health and well-being which can, in turn, produce an economic dividend through reducing costs in the health sector. The balance of the contribution comprises €148 million in capital funding which supports the development of sports facilities through the sports capital programme such as the local authority swimming pool programme and funding for the national sports campus.

The Irish Sports Council which is funded by the Department is a statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the development of strategies for increased participation in sport. The council also has responsibility for the allocation of funding to the national governing bodies of sport. It also supports elite athletes through the high performance programme as they compete on the world and international stage. The performance of Irish athletes not only boosts the morale of the country but also promotes our image internationally and draws tourists to Ireland from across the globe.

This year the Irish Sports Council will see a €3.1 million reduction in its budget, but it will still receive over €42 million. The difficult economic climate is having an impact on public spending across all sectors of society and spending on sport is no different. However, the total sports budget will rise from €74.6 million last year to €93.5 million, a substantial increase of approximately 25%. The increase will facilitate another round of the sports capital programme and ensure work on the long-outstanding indoor arena at the national sports campus will commence this year. This is good news. The increase will also mean that we will be able to fund regional projects. The increased funding for sport comes at a time when there are many calls on limited Government resources and demonstrates the Government's commitment to sport and its understanding of its value to both the economy and the health of the nation. We must remember that sports grants were reintroduced under the guidance of the Minister in 2011, having been withheld during the previous four years. In the past three years many sports organisations have benefited greatly from these grants. These allocations will benefit people in every county by giving them more opportunities to become involved in sport, whatever their ability. The funding will allow a diverse array of sports clubs and groups to build and improve their facilities.