Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the sports capital programme; if he is satisfied with the fact that several studies have shown that while it is the primary method for delivering funding to sporting organisations it may not be as successful at increasing participation as initially thought; if he has considered shifting the direction of the sports capital programme from capital to current expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17661/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country.

The Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for the development of sports facilities across the country. The aim of the Programme is to maximise participation in sport through the provision of modern high quality, safe, well-designed and sustainable facilities and sports equipment. The provision of such facilities allows for increased numbers to participate in sport.

Since 1998 over 6,700 projects have been allocated over €675 million under the Programme, including over €107 million for the development of Croke Park. In this regard, demand for funding under the Programme continues to be very strong, for example, in 2008 funding totalling €292 million is being sought by over 1,450 projects.

This funding must be seen in the context of the equally significant levels of current funding being provided through the Irish Sports Council. The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive sport and for increasing participation in recreational sport.

All sports organisations funded by the ISC, including National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, are encouraged to target all sections of society in seeking to increase participation in sport.

The funding provided to the ISC, which has increased from €13m in 2000 to more than €57m this year, has enabled a number of significant interventions to increase participation in sport. In this regard, examples include the Local Sports Partnerships network and the Buntús programme for primary schools in LSP areas involving children in sport from a very young age.

The Government is making very significant investment in addressing participation in sport through both current and capital funding streams.