Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if local sport partnerships have been extended to cover all parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Sports Council (ISC) is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport including initiatives to promote sport at local level. The provision in funding for the ISC in the 2007 Estimates is €54.025 million.

Following an independent review in 2005 of the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), through which sports initiatives at local level are delivered and coordinated, I gave approval to the ISC to extend the LSP network from 2006 on a national basis.

Funding has been provided to the ISC to facilitate continued extension of the network of LSPs on a national basis. Three new LSPs were established in 2006 and there are now 19 LSPs fully operational with an additional six sites now in the development stage. The Council is on track to have a minimum of five new sites established by mid-year. All remaining sites have met with representatives of the Council with regard to their next steps and I would envisage the Council meeting its target of having 29 fully established LSPs by year-end. That would leave a maximum of three areas in the advanced development phase with the aim of making appointments at Co-ordinator level in the first Quarter of 2008 as scheduled. They will make an essential contribution to reaching the Council's ambitious targets for increasing the participation rates of adults and children in sport in Ireland.