Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In the Budget 2008, my Department was allocated €1.5 million from the Dormant Accounts Funding under Subhead C7 of my Department's Vote.

This funding was part of €42.75 million allocated in the 2008 Budget from the Dormant Accounts Fund across a range of Votes. As I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 12th February 2008, my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has overall responsibility for dormant accounts spending. The funding through my Department is an element of a larger set of economic and social disadvantage funding measures including funding for persons with a disability.

The 2008 special funding of €1.5 million through my Department is to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity by way of the appointment of Sports Inclusion Development Officers in Local Sports Partnerships.

Last year, special funding was allocated from the dormant account funds through my Department for projects to increase participation in sports and recreation in disadvantaged areas.

My Department also provides significant funding for sports in disadvantaged areas through the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool Programmes in addition to these special measures under the dormant accounts funds.