Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his preferred options or proposals, for the promotion of amateur or professional sports in the future with particular reference to funding he is expected to make available over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25764/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In my reply to PQ 19344/07 on 5 July last, I outlined my priorities for the development and promotion of sport, which are set out in the Programme for Government. I am currently in the process of formulating policies and objectives, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders to achieve the delivery of these priorities, which will be articulated further in my Department's new Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 which is in preparation and which is to be completed by the end of 2007.

I see the overriding objectives that will drive the development of policy to be the achievement of greater accessibility and participation for all in the area of sport. Under the provisions of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, a total of some €911m has been earmarked for programmes such as the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool programmes and such major capital projects as the new Lansdowne Road stadium and the Abbotstown Campus project.

One of the major issues to be addressed in future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme is the introduction of a more strategic targeted approach to the funding of projects. The development of a National Sports Strategy by my Department will provide high-level policy direction for future investment/grant assistance at national, regional and local level.

Since the establishment of the statutory Irish Sports Council in 1999, over €250 million has been provided to the Council towards initiating, developing and enhancing a wide range of programmes aimed at increasing participation and raising standards in Irish sport. My Department will continue to support the Sports Council to allow it to realise the commitments of its strategic plan to increase participation in sport and to improve the levels of performance by our elite athletes in world-class competition. An important issue is to ensure the embedding of the Irish Institute of Sport as the key instrument in ensuring Ireland's sustained successes in top-level international sport.

I also intend to provide continued support for the horse and greyhound racing industries, which are important contributors to the Irish economy and to employment throughout the country.