Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received the report on the provision of a national institute of sport from the Irish Sports Council; when it will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15382/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, one of the key recommendations of the Athens review, which was published last year, was that the structures necessary to establish an Irish institute of sport should be put in place to deliver optimal support services for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and sports. It was envisaged that the institute would form the basis of a long-term and sustainable high performance infrastructure, taking into account the experiences of and expertise within the National Coaching and Training Centre, which is based in the University of Limerick. The recent report of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London, also recommended that such an institute should be established as a priority. At my request, the Irish Sports Council, with the assistance of a technical expert group and an advisory expert group, has developed proposals for the establishment of such an institute. The expert groups comprised international experts in sports science and medicine with experience in the development of the concept of an institute. I have received the Irish Sports Council's proposals. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is involved in discussions with the council with a view to teasing out the issues involved. I intend to bring proposals in this regard to the Government in the near future.

I am enthusiastic about the potential of the proposed institute of sport to become a source of real support for Ireland's elite athletes. If the institute makes available the best emerging technology, sport science and sport medicine to those athletes, it will bring this country's support system into line with that available to the athletes' counterparts elsewhere. The existing providers of specialist supports to elite performers will have a key role in the new structure. Significant progress has been made in the development of a high performance system in Ireland in recent years. Increased levels of funding have been made available, specific programmes of support have been put in place and national and regional training centres have been constructed. The Irish Sports Council's budget has increased by over 210% since its establishment, from €13.2 million in its first full year of operation in 2000 to €40.9 million in 2006. The additional funding being provided to the council this year includes €1 million to meet the costs associated with establishing the proposed institute in 2006.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The proposal in the Athens review that a national institute of sport should be established was supported by the high-performance strategy group in December 2001, the joint committee in its report of 2005 and many other commentators. I am sure the Minister will agree that such an institute is needed if we are to ensure that our elite athletes can compete on a level playing pitch at the Olympic Games and other international events. Well developed institutes of sport are in place in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, which are getting the results at international level. Will the Minister consider seriously the designation of the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick as the national institute of sport? The institute could have a hub in Dublin, at UCD or DCU, and nodes in other parts of the country, including Cork and Galway. The work of the institute should link with that of the institute of sport in Northern Ireland.

The Minister is familiar with the details of the proposal and I understand that money has been earmarked. He needs to appoint the necessary experts in the areas of sports science and sports medicine. Will the Minister give the House a commitment that the new institute of sport will be based in Limerick? Will he provide the resources to enable the necessary expertise to be identified and the appropriate international people to be hired so that the project can be pursued as soon as possible? The institute is needed if our athletes are to prepare properly for Beijing and London.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has correctly stated that the establishment of an institute of sport has been recommended by a number of bodies. There is no point in seeking to establish such an institute unless the funding for it is available and, happily, I have secured the funding for this year. Therefore, the institute of sport will be established. I will have to bring a proposal to the Government very quickly. The country has been waiting for an institute of sport. It is fair to say that our elite athletes are at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts elsewhere because such an institute is not in place. We intend to correct that now. As I said in my initial reply, the existing providers of specialist supports to elite performers will have key roles in the institute. The National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick has provided valuable support to our elite athletes in recent years. The proposed development at Abbotstown and the existing national and regional training centres will be integral parts of the institute. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Irish Sports Council are developing the specific format of the institute in line with the proposals of the report of the advisory group.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to make the case for the location of the institute in Limerick. The Munster rugby team is successful because it has availed of the top-class facilities offered by the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick. If one wishes to make the case for Limerick strongly, I am sure the Munster team can be seen as a barometer in that regard.