Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

We all appreciate the important role that sport plays in our society in promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a sense of identity and belonging and in channelling energy in rewarding activity and bringing people together. I assure the Deputy the Government is committed to sport and believes in the contribution it can make to our society, for individuals and for communities. Thus the importance of the sport sector to the country is reflected in the commitments contained in the renewed programme for Government and the funding secured for the sector under budget 2010. I am committed to increasing and developing participation and interest in sport, improving standards of performance and to developing sports facilities, thereby contributing to healthier lifestyles and an improved overall quality of life.

A total of €48 million has been provided for the sports capital programme in 2010. This provision for sports capital projects will ensure that commitments arising in 2010 from previous allocations under the sports capital programme will continue to be met and that a range of modern facilities will be brought in to use in 2010. Since 1998, in excess of €725 million has been allocated to 7,400 sports projects all over the country. A sum of €49.8 million has been provided to the Irish Sports Council for 2010. This is a significant investment by Government to enable this important agency to maintain existing programmes and build on recent significant progress in all areas, including local sports partnerships, Buntús, women in sport, older people and sport, youth field sports and the high performance programme. The Lansdowne Road stadium, a key sports infrastructure project, remains on schedule to be completed on time and within budget in 2010. The allocation by the Department of €4.5 million in 2010 represents the retention amount of the Government's funding for the project of €191 million. With regard to the local authority swimming pools programme, the allocation of €7.5 million is being provided to meet commitments arising in 2010 under the current round of the programme.

Ireland is the third largest breeder of thoroughbreds in the world and Irish horses and jockeys consistently succeed at the highest level. An estimated 27,000 jobs are supported by both the horse and greyhound industry in Ireland and significant inward investment is attracted to the country. Taking account of the need to continue to support both industries, €59.3 million is being allocated by Government to the horse and greyhound racing fund in 2010.

I would like to offer my congratulations to John Ox and Sea the Stars. I wish Michael Kinnane, who had a fantastic year at 50 years of age, every success in his retirement. It is being said that Sea the Stars was the best horse of the past 300 years. I am delighted that horse is going to stand stud in this country. Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In view of the current economic constraints, the first phase of the national sports campus project will not be proceeding at this time. However, a sum of €3 million is being provided for the refurbishment of the former Marine Institute building at Abbotstown, which will be used as a headquarters for national governing bodies of sport. The remainder of the allocation will be used to provide for capital maintenance at the National Aquatic Centre.

I am satisfied that the budgets provided for the various sports programmes in a very difficult budgetary environment will enable us to continue with the pursuit of our strategic objectives in the sport area.

See this speech in context