Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his priorities, as Minister for Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/11]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for tourism and sport, I have delegated responsibility for sport with particular focus on the sports capital programme; the national sports facilities strategy; engagement with the Irish Sports Council and the local sports partnerships on promoting participation in sport, recreation and physical activity; the chairing of the high level co-ordinating group which is identifying opportunities that might arise from the proximity of the London Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2012, and the European agenda on sport, including attendance at Council of Ministers meetings when sports issues are being discussed.

The programme for Government provides that, "In future sports funding should prioritise projects which further greater participation in sport on a local and national level." This will underpin my priorities in the area of sport. I will also work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in progressing the development of the national sports campus project on an incremental basis. During my time as Minister with responsibility for sport, I would also like to bring increased emphasis to the need to involve more women in sport; to increasing the opportunities for people with disabilities, and to providing facilities for those in disadvantaged areas.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Many sports are not being promoted which are of significant benefit to communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I am also conscious that many local sports clubs, be they GAA or soccer clubs, are in debt. This will become a bigger problem and many clubs will struggle to survive. When this happens I hope the Minister of State will look favourably on many of these clubs.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In regard to people taking part in sports, I published a report last week for the Sports Council. I am delighted to say more people are taking part in sports. Some 15% of the population does not take part in any sport in this country, an area which I will target in conjunction with the local sports partnership company to determine how we can encourage people to take part.

As I said in my reply, I am very anxious about disadvantaged areas. The Deputy referred to volunteers. This is the year of the volunteer and, but for them, we in this country would not have many of the facilities, organisations and people taking part in sports. I thank them for their time and effort. I was in Athens last week. More than 200 young people travelled there on their own time as volunteers. They gave of their time, holidays and travel to support and help athletes. I thank them on behalf of the Government for the effort and time they give to voluntarism in this country.

My priority as Minister of State is to ensure women, people in disadvantaged areas and those with disabilities get every possible opportunity. I was delighted to see 4,500 women taking part in a mini-marathon in my county of Mayo. I hope it happens in every county. If one gets women involved, children will become involved. We should try to make it easier for people to become involved. I compliment the GAA, the FAI and the IRFU on reducing their prices recently to allow families to take part in sport.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I concur with the Minister of State in regard to volunteers. A large number of people are volunteers and they are a great credit to communities. Sport has helped to improve areas massively. People participate in sport from an early age. In my area there have been major sports festivals. There was one in Farnham in Finglas recently in which 35 teams and hundreds of children participated. Encouraging it enhances communities and volunteering is magnificent.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I could not agree more with the Deputy. As I said, this is the year of the volunteer. We could never speak strongly enough of them and the time and effort they give to sport in this country. We could not pay for it. We do not thank them often enough for their effort, time and commitment. People volunteer from Monday to Friday and Friday to Sunday. None of the national sports organisations could operate without them and we need to keep thanking them. I read a report recently which stated that more people want to volunteer and give of their time but there is a problem, namely, that organisations do not ask them to come on board and provide courses to try to help them do what they are asked. If they provided them, they would do them because this is a great country for volunteers. I thank them for the job they do.