John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures he is taking to tackle the problem of obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19825/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises that the response to the issue of obesity must address the various complex causes, including diet, lifestyle and environmental factors. As part of this response, I am aware that investment in sport can yield very tangible returns in improved fitness and health for individuals, which can help combat obesity and result in a consequent reduction in the demand on health services. The Irish Sports Council (ISC) has a statutory role in developing sport and increasing participation in Sport in Ireland. My Department funds the ISC on an annual basis and has allocated over €57 million to the ISC in 2008. 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.

The Irish Sports Council's current strategy, "Building Sport for Life" 2006 — 2008, identifies increasing participation in sport as a key objective and, based on its research programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute, sets specific targets in this regard. To implement its plans for increasing participation, the ISC is ensuring the national roll out of the Local Sports Partnership (LSP) network in order to deliver greater access to sport for all. It is working with National Governing Bodies of Sport to deliver large-scale participation programmes and it is targeting sections of the community that have traditionally low levels of participation in sport and physical activity, such as older people, women and people from areas of disadvantage.

Children and young people are also specific target groups and there are several ISC programmes and initiatives aimed specifically at young people. These include the Buntús series of programmes for primary schools and pre-schools, which operate through the LSP network; the Youth Field Sports initiatives to support the work of the GAA, FAI and the IRFU in expanding their participation base, with a particular emphasis on young people in areas of low participation; and various programmes specifically targeting young people organised under the Women in Sport scheme or operating within the LSP network. Some of the LSP projects have been supported in partnership with the Health Services Executive, thus recognising the need to challenge the issue of obesity through a multi-disciplined, cross-functional approach.

Furthermore, the availability of sporting facilities is crucial to the greater involvement of people in sporting activities. In that context, the Government has invested significantly in the provision of such facilities through the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool programmes. Under the Sports Capital Programme, allocations to the value of €85 million were awarded to 935 projects nationwide in 2007 and allocations for 2008 will be announced after the 2008 applications have been assessed. Under the Pool Programme, eight new swimming pools were opened in 2007 and a further three pools have been opened so far in 2008. I will continue to monitor progress in this area closely and I am confident that the programmes provided by the Irish Sports Council to increase participation, together with the continued Government investment in sports facilities, will contribute significantly to combating the problem of obesity in this country.