John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have this opportunity to speak on the Abridged Estimates of public expenditure for 2007, which reflect further consolidation and prioritisation of Government spending after several years of unprecedented growth. I am particularly pleased that the allocation of more than €698 million available to the arts, sport and tourism sectors, an increase of 17.6% on the 2006 allocation, will enable me to maintain the thrust of State support for these sectors. The 2007 Estimates provide for a combined allocation of more than €216.5 million for my Department and the National Gallery of Ireland, an increase of 8.65% over 2006.

The Arts Council is the main vehicle through which State support is channelled to the arts and the Government's ongoing commitment to this sector is demonstrated with a further increase of 11% in funding to the council in 2007. This means total funding for the council will have increased by some 52% in just three years, from €52.5 million in 2004 to €80 million in 2007. The Government is conscious of the significant benefits to quality of life that accrue to all levels of society in every area from investment in the arts. Artists and arts organisations should see this increase in the Arts Council funding as proof of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting the valuable contribution they make to Irish life and society.

Schemes designed to lead to the provision of a high-standard arts and culture infrastructure and allow greater access to the participation of arts and culture activities on as broad a geographic basis as possible have been in operation for some time. The 2007 capital allocation of €43 million for cultural infrastructure will allow continued funding of the arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme, ACCESS, covering some 44 ongoing capital projects, most of which are now at an advanced stage. It will also facilitate the commencement of a new ACCESS II scheme, for which over 150 applications were received by the deadline of Friday last. It will also allow me to fund a range of other capital projects, chief among them the rebuilding of the Wexford Theatre Royal and the refurbishment of the Gaiety and Gate theatres in Dublin.

In the 2007 Estimates, funding for national cultural institutions and projects has increased by 9.4% over the 2006 allocation. Of particular note is the 70% increase in the capital provision for the National Library of Ireland, which will facilitate its exhibition and acquisitions programme. I have also secured major increases in the current and capital allocations provided to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Concert Hall, the Chester Beatty Library and the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, averaging 29% in current funding and 38% in capital funding.

These major increases will facilitate the implementation of acquisition policies and enhance outreach and educational programmes at these institutions, and enable the National Concert Hall to replace obsolescent musical equipment. Of particular note is my determination to enhance the facilities of Crawford Art Gallery, which is now a national cultural institution. To this end, I am providing a 71% increase in current funding and a 60% increase in capital funding for this new national cultural institution. I have also secured an allocation of more than €11.7 million for the National Gallery of Ireland, an increase of almost 25% on the provision made available to the gallery in 2006.

The National Archives of Ireland holds the household returns of the 1901 and 1911 censuses for the island of Ireland. These returns are of great interest because they are the earliest returns that still exist in their entirety and also because they cover the entire island. The digitisation of the 1901 and 1911 census records will proceed with the provision of €1.1 million.

I have also decided to support the day-to-day working costs of Exploration Station, the National Children's Science Museum, with €250,000 in current funding for 2007. The museum will encourage children to explore and discover at their own pace. One of Exploration Station's core goals is to provide the opportunity for children to explore and discover science, history, culture and the arts. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will provide the capital requirements of the museum.

The Irish film industry continues to be an important medium through which to showcase not only Ireland itself, but its culture and indigenous talent. The total Estimates provision for 2007 for the Irish Film Board represents an increase of 15% on the original 2006 allocation. This increase will enable the board to continue its essential role of developing and supporting the Irish film sector. It will facilitate the board in marketing Ireland as a film location and, in particular, will assist the work of the newly opened office in Los Angeles in raising the profile of the Irish audiovisual industry abroad. This provision underlies the sustained Government support for the board, which has seen its total allocations increase by 60% since 2002.

I will also increase the funding available to Culture Ireland, which works to promote Irish culture and the arts abroad, from €3 million to €4.5 million, a 50% increase over the 2006 allocation.

A total budget of more than €316 million will be made available to the sports sector in 2007, an increase of 30% over 2006. Sport plays a vital role in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and belonging, channelling energy in rewarding activity and bringing people together. The Government has spent more than €900 million on sport since 1997. This unprecedented level of investment is clear evidence of the importance the Government attaches to the establishment of modern, well-equipped and well-managed sporting facilities supported by a wide range of programmes. These developments are of significant benefit to communities.

The 2007 budget for the Irish Sports Council has increased by 20%, or more than €8 million, to more than €49 million. The continued increased level of funding will allow the council to realise fully the commitments in its strategic plan to increase participation in sport and improve the levels of performance by our elite athletes in world-class competition.

Funding is also being provided for the Institute of Sport, which was launched in July. In the lead up to the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, the institute will concentrate on 14 focus sports, with some 90 athletes involved under the carding scheme. 2007 will see the institute up and running with increased funding and key professional and scientific staff in place to ensure optimum preparations are under way for Beijing 2008.

The newly established national governing body, Horse Sport Ireland, will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies for the development and promotion of an internationally competitive Irish horse sport industry. Provision for funding for this new body is included in the 2007 budget for the Irish Sports Council.

In addition, the Irish Sports Council will be in a position to extend the network of local sports partnerships through which sports initiatives at local level are delivered and co-ordinated, as well as maintaining support for specific initiatives for which I earmarked funding in previous years. These include the development of hurling and camogie on a nationwide basis, the development of Gaelic games in Dublin and programmes to attract more women to participate in sport.

The Government has provided tangible support for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium with a 2007 provision of €76 million. Although it is not possible to estimate the length of time that will be required to complete the planning process, the project has proceeded on schedule up to this point. I am hopeful that by the end of 2009, we will see the completion of the redevelopment of the stadium, which will cater for the international rugby and soccer requirements of the IRFU and FAI. Ireland's international rugby and soccer squads will then have a platform on which to showcase their skills and supporters will be able to view these games in a modern and comfortable environment. The recent announcement by UEFA that a European club football final could take place in the new stadium is also a major boost to the project and to sport, especially soccer, in Ireland.

A capital allocation of €30 million has been set aside in 2007 towards phase one of a campus of sports facilities at Abbotstown. This first phase will provide for the development of modern facilities, including pitches and support facilities, for the three major field sports, rugby, soccer and Gaelic games, with shared core facilities including accommodation, fitness area, medical and gym facilities. Facilities to cater for more than 30 indoor sports as well as community playing pitches and support facilities are also included in the plan.

The Government has made a considerable effort to bring our sporting infrastructure into line with best international standards. In many ways, the sports campus can be seen as a real and tangible symbol of Ireland's determination to compete on the international stage by ensuring our sports men and women have at their disposal cutting edge sporting facilities. It is a vital component in our developing sporting infrastructure and will provide the ideal venue for our elite athletes in their preparations for future sporting events. I am optimistic the provision of such modern and well-equipped sporting facilities will give our sportsmen and women the edge in international competition in years to come.

The refurbishment of the former State laboratory at Abbotstown as the new headquarters for the FAI is under way and this will be the first tangible evidence of the sports campus becoming a reality. It is anticipated the FAI will relocate to its new headquarters by the middle of next year.

Funds will be set aside in 2007 for the operation and management of the National Aquatic Centre. The recent Supreme Court order means the current operators of the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin Waterworld Limited, will leave the centre with effect from 30 November and that possession will be restored to the State company, Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited. Once under new management, an immediate examination of the centre will be undertaken so we can all be reassured it is safe and sound.

With regard to the provision of quality sports and recreational facilities throughout the country, the total 2007 capital budget for grants for sports facilities, including swimming pools, will be almost €88 million. This will be used to meet payments in respect of commitments already made as well as those to be made in 2007 under the sports capital and local authority swimming pool programmes. Between 1998 and 2006, almost €470 million has been allocated to more than 5,700 projects throughout the country under the sports capital programme. Under the local authority swimming pool programme, 23 swimming pool projects have been completed since 2000 and a further 15 are under construction.

I have secured an allocation of €154 million, an increase of 9% in the 2006 budget, for the tourism sector. This increased allocation is the largest ever Exchequer budget for the tourism industry, representing the Government's strong commitment to it. The international market continues to present intense and increasing competition. The 12.5% increase in the tourism marketing fund to €45 million builds on the increased funding provided in previous years, representing the largest ever marketing budget for the promotion of Irish tourism. This record budget will enable Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to ratchet up their marketing activities in 2007, with a particular emphasis on an enhanced regional focus and new marketing strategies for North America and new and developing markets.

The past four and a half years have been tough for tourism and travel worldwide. We have responded to these challenges through a programme of reform of the State's tourism structures and their operational strategies in human resources. It has resulted in encouraging figures. Last week's CSO figures show overall trips to Ireland for the year to end-September up 11.2%, Britain by 7.6%, mainland Europe by 18.8%, North America by 11% and other long-haul destinations by 7.5%. Revenue earnings are up 7% for the first half of the year. There were 90,000 extra visitors for the Ryder Cup. Domestic tourism is growing and average hotel room occupancy rates increased from 62% to 66% in the first eight months of 2006.

I commend the Estimates to the House.

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