Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together.

I am aware that the Irish Sports Council, under its research remit, is striving to develop a profound understanding of sport in Ireland that can inform policy and investment over the coming years. It commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute to undertake studies on its behalf. Four major reports have already been published, each one adding to our knowledge of sport in this country.

The fourth report in the series, Fair Play? Sport and Social Disadvantage in Ireland, to which the Deputy refers, set out to examine the impact of social disadvantage on various forms of participation in sport. The report concludes that the large majority of people who play sport in Ireland and who enjoy the health benefits arising from this activity are from higher income and better-educated social groups.

The report makes a clear case in support of substantial public expenditure to increase participation in sport. This justifies the significant Government investment in sport in recent years. The budget for sport has increased from €17 million in 1997 to over €295 million in 2007. By the end of 2006, over €900 million had been invested directly in sport since 1997 to support the promotion and development of sport at all levels. Furthermore, the National Development Plan 2007-13 includes a commitment to provide €991 million for sport under the aegis of my Department during that period.

The increased funding provided to the Irish Sports Council, from €13 million in 2000 to over €54 million this year, has enabled a number of significant interventions for the benefit of disadvantaged areas. Examples include the local sports partnerships network, development officers in national governing bodies and special funding to the FAI, GAA and IRFU.

The ESRI report concludes that disadvantage starts at an early age and there is evidence that disadvantage begins to affect some children's involvement in sport from a very young age. In this regard I am pleased that the Irish Sports Council's buntús programme is now rolling out to primary schools in local sports partnership areas.

One of the stated objectives of the sports capital programme is to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of sports programmes. In this regard the Deputies will be aware of the RAPID and CLÁR programmes and local drugs task force areas. My Department liaises closely with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pobail and local authorities with a view to emphasising investment in disadvantaged areas.

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