Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views in relation to a submission (details supplied); the plans he has to address the serious concerns expressed; the meetings he has had or is proposing in relation to the concerns expressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11577/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Department officials and I have met with the organisation in question to be briefed on the content of their Strategic Plan. The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Sports Council (ISC) has a statutory role in the development of sport in Ireland. One of the ISC's primary functions, as set out in the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999, is to develop strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to coordinate their implementation by all bodies involved in promoting recreational sport and providing recreational facilities, which includes the funding of the recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport. In pursuance of this function the Irish Sports Council provides funding on an annual basis to the National Governing Bodies of Sport including the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

My Department funds the ISC on an annual basis and has allocated over €57.3 million to the ISC in 2008, compared to just over €13.2 million in 2000, its first full year of operation. This represents an increase of 334%. This significant level of funding ensures that the ISC can continue to embark on initiatives and programmes that increase participation in sport and physical recreation by people of all ages in the country.