Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the most recent round, my predecessor, the then Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, brought in a 50:50 split between per capitaand the level of demand, which gave a good regional spread. As can be seen in the Deputy's county, Wexford, and in County Kerry, which I visited in recent days, there is a fair regional spread that reflects not only the population dynamics of the country but also the necessity to invest in rural Ireland and our regions. The feedback on that has been positive and it has provided a fair balance.

A number of budget lines support people with disabilities. We are working with Sport Ireland on a new diversity and inclusion policy, which will strengthen the overall policy on people with disabilities when it comes to sport. We will focus on Activities for All and channel a good deal of funding supports through that.

As for the governing bodies and the core funding they receive, I can give a breakdown but it is complicated. Under subhead D5, there is significant support through Sport Ireland, with goals for the national governing bodies to support people with disabilities. Furthermore, we increased the Dormant Accounts Fund from €10 million to €12 million this year, which directly supports people with disabilities. I am anxious that, with the increase we have secured, we should focus on inclusion and on ensuring everybody in our community can have greater opportunities in sport, and support the grassroots clubs that want to deliver sport for people with disabilities. I am engaged with some of the sporting organisations, such as the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, and the GAA, regarding how we can deliver better sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.

On the sports capital and equipment programme, we can send further detail to the committee, with a breakdown in respect of some of the governing bodies, such as Special Olympics Ireland and Irish Wheelchair Association Sport. Moreover, in our new sports action plan, there is a clear focus on people with disabilities. I am conscious we all engage with people in our local areas who have disabilities. I often say that if there are three people in the back of a car, there tends not to be the same level of opportunity for the one who may have a disability, whereas the other two siblings will be able to play any of ten sports on a Saturday morning. In the context of the Football for All events and the significant potential and inclusive nature of events under Activities for All, a clear focus of mine, through additional funding and budget lines we have received this year, will be on people with disabilities and on giving them greater opportunities in sport.