Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sports capital programme is the Government's main vehicle for funding sport. Sports tourism is important for the country. The global sports tourism industry is valued at an estimated €450 billion. The inaugural European sports tourism summit will be held in Limerick in May as part of Limerick's programme as national city of culture 2014. It is estimated that regional sports tourism activities associated with the Wild Atlantic Way region alone will deliver almost €19 million and attract up to 200,000 additional bed nights. On average, some 150,000 or more golfers visit Ireland each year, from Europe, the United States and the Far East, generating up to €200 million for the economy. Some 35% of domestic tourism in Ireland is attributable to sport. The Emerald Isle Classic American football match at the Aviva Stadium in 2012 was worth an estimated €100 million to the economy. We should recognise also that 40,000 jobs are supported by sport in Ireland.