Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full extent of employment generated by the sporting sector annually over the past five years to date; the extent to which opportunities arise for further enhancement leading to job creation throughout the sector; steps he plans to take the effect of which would be economic resurgence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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655. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which economic activity generated through sport and recreation, including job creation, has developed in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which the level of employment generated throughout may be improved in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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656. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects sporting activity or associated sectors to generate economic activity resulting in a contribution towards economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41130/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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657. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which economic expansion may benefit from sport-associated activity; if he will predict the future annual job creating potential arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41131/13]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 655, 656 and 657 together.

These questions relate to employment and economic benefit from the sports sector. Sport makes a significant contribution to the economy and is an important driver of growth and employment. The sports sector's contribution to the economy includes sports tourism, ticket sales, subscriptions and the cost of playing sport, together with the purchase of sports equipment and an economic value of time given by volunteers. The report Assessment of Economic Impact of Sport in Ireland, which was prepared for the Irish Sports Council in 2010, indicates that sport and sport-related activities support more than 38,000 full-time-equivalent jobs.

Grants provided by my Department for capital projects support employment. For example, my officials have calculated that the €13.5 million in the sports capital subhead in 2013 will support almost 600 jobs in the construction and related sectors in 2013. Furthermore, the Deputy will appreciate that as a large proportion of the sports capital programme, SCP, spending is directed at grantees in rural areas where alternative employment opportunities may not be readily available, the importance of SCP spending for rural employment is particularly significant.

The ongoing development of facilities at the National Sports Campus is also supporting construction jobs and will provide jobs in the future for the operation of the campus facilities when completed. In addition, grant funding provided through the Irish Sports Council for the national governing bodies of sport supports a large number of jobs throughout the country.

There is a very extensive financial dividend to be obtained through the success of major sporting events, particularly those with an international dimension. Not only does sports tourism bring revenue and boost the economy, it helps support jobs. The programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Could I ask the Minister of State the extent to which the Department continues to evaluate the sporting sector with a view to identifying specific areas where an intervention or further support might bring about the sort of results that are required at this time in terms of economic recovery? Could I further ask him if in fact in the course of any evaluation undertaken in the past, particular issues have arisen which could be used to a greater extent to promote the national image through the sporting sector?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In 2012 a total of 35,000 people came to Dublin for the Notre Dame versus Navy American football game. Ticket sales were worth €100,000. Revenue was created for the city through spending in taxis, restaurants and pubs, and that resulted in much employment.

A survey carried out by DKM economic consultants for the Department indicated that every €57,000 spent on construction supports one job, and for every €1 million of sports capital funding 44 jobs are created in the construction and related sectors. The €13.5 million provided in the sports capital subhead will create 600 jobs. Another statistic of note is that every €1 million spent on the local authority swimming pool programme creates 48 jobs. In 2013, we have put funding in place that will create a further 270 jobs. It is possible to create jobs in the sporting sector.

That is why I am always saying to the Government that the more sports capital and funding for facilities it can make available, the more badly wanted employment can be created throughout the country.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for his answer. I recently attended a briefing given by the Federation of Irish Sport. It made a very compelling case that 150 jobs could be created for the sum of €4.85 million, which is very small in overall budgetary terms. There is long-standing evidence that sport and exercise can reduce expenditure in the health service and other areas. For example, it costs €270,000 to detain a young person for a year in Oberstown. For €15,000, the FAI organised late-night leagues that led to a 49% reduction in Garda call-outs.

There is great concern over large increases in rates pertaining to the Aviva and Croke Park stadiums. The money in question could deliver services for communities. Has the Minister of State considered this or met any of the organisations in question?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The rates issue is serious and one that needs to be dealt with at Government level. It is not part of our brief or responsibility. It is, however, a matter that I am concerned about because the sporting facilities in question are major. The burden to which Deputy McLellan is referring will create a major problem.

With regard to the question by Deputy Durkan and that of Deputy McLellan, we never put a monetary value on volunteerism in this country; we forget about it. There would not be soccer, Gaelic games, rugby or any other sport but for volunteers giving of their time freely. The players in last Saturday's all-Ireland hurling final did not start at the top but at the bottom. There were people working with them seven days per week and there were people selling tickets and raising funding for their clubs. We sometimes do not take that into consideration. It is, therefore, important to obtain from the Government any funding that can be got for sport. As the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and Minister of State, Deputy Alan Kelly will tell one, sport and tourism are sometimes the sectors creating jobs and employment, yet they are sometimes the first hit when there is a crisis in the economy. This should not be the case. Now, at a time of economic crisis, we should be getting further funding for sport. This creates employment and it is good for the economy.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Minister of State want to put his foot down and talk to the Taoiseach?

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Approximately two years ago, we had a conversation here about the adventure sports market. In the past few years, we have seen that market absolutely explode, which is great for the economy. However, there is now talk of regulation. I caution against any unnecessary regulation that could have an impact on the market.

Could I have an update on our bid for hosting the Rugby World Cup?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On the hosting of the Rugby World Cup, we recently had meetings with the IRFU. Fáilte Ireland has supported it with some funding to carry out a feasibility study. We will be meeting the IRFU shortly and I hope it will have an update in this regard. I would love to see the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. We are well capable of hosting the event. We should put some funding aside now to ensure we will be able to make our bid and bring the event to the country. Through the Volvo Ocean Race and many other national major events, we have shown we are well capable of hosting events of the kind in question.

With regard to adventure activity, the Deputy is quite correct. Adventure tourists have turned up in my area, the west of Ireland, in particular. It has the natural beauty, water, facilities, walks and the Greenway. When adventure tourists come to the country, they spend more than any other tourists because they are physically fit, go out for dinner and enjoy themselves. They stay in a given area. I hope that Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland put more resources into this area. We have the natural resources and infrastructure and now need to try to bring more people into the country.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Has any planning been undertaken to co-ordinate the efforts of the tourism and sporting sectors with a view to encouraging and capitalising on future events and utilising them as a means of improving the economy, bringing more people into the respective sectors and generating employment?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As Deputies know, for any major sports event to be held in the country, the national sports body concerned must issue an invitation. If it is the soccer World Cup, the FAI must issue an invitation; if it is the rugby World Cup, the IRFU has to issue an invitation and so forth. However, Fáilte Ireland has a section that deals with bringing international events to the country and during the years it has always responded well. The Fáilte Ireland team has worked very well with various sports organisations, as well as other types of organisation, to bring international events to the country. It has worked with them in assisting with feasibility studies and providing financial support. I agree with Deputy Bernard J. Durkan that if any sports organisations believes there is an opportunity to bring a major event to the country, it should contact Fáilte Ireland or my Department and it will be offered every available support. There are many international events that could be hosted in the country. Hosting international rugby games in Dublin, for example, generates a significant amount of revenue for the city. For the All-Ireland finals over the last few weekends there was not a hotel bed to be found in Dublin. Sports events attract large numbers of visitors and often such short-term visitors spend more money than other tourists.

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I add my voice to this very interesting discussion on the potential to bring new people into the State through supporting sports organisations. In my own community in Malahide we hosted a one-day international cricket game between Ireland and England which was a tremendous success, with 10,000 to 11,000 people descending on Malahide. The game was played in a purpose-built, temporary stadium at Malahide Cricket Club. The Ministers were present on the day and very impressed. The potential to develop such venues and attract entirely new people to Ireland for cricket games on a regular basis is enormous and could yield substantial returns for the State and local businesses.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy. Who would have thought ten years ago that we could host such a one-day event in Dublin? It was great to see it happening and I would like to see more events like it taking place. Hosting any international event sends the very strong message that we are well capable of hosting such events. It also sends a message about what we have to offer. When people come to this country for such events, they see what we have to offer. When given the opportunity, we can compete with the best, with facilities such as the Aviva Stadium, Croke Park and others. Where we have the facilities, we are well capable of hosting events. In that context, I must compliment the GAA. Where would one see in any other country in the world the national game bringing 82,500 people into a single stadium? The GAA is a credit to the country. It brought 82,500 to Croke Park, not once, not twice but three times in three weeks. That is a credit to the organisation and the country.