John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which his support for the promotion of arts, sport and tourism is reflected in financial allocation by or from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19830/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's mission, as set out in the Statement of Strategy 2008-2010, is ''To enrich Irish society by supporting the growth of a competitive and sustainable tourism industry and increasing access to, and participation in sport, the arts and culture''. Each sector of the Department has a unique contribution to make to the enrichment of our society, and as a consequence the quality of life of the people of Ireland. The Revised Estimates Volume, copies of which are available in the Dáil Library, sets out the details of expenditure planned by the Department for 2008 in each of the sectoral areas of Arts and Culture, Sport and Tourism. Total expenditure will amount to €725 million this year including programme expenditure of €170 million on Tourism Services, €336 million on Sport and Recreation Services and €208 million on Arts and Culture.

In addition the National Development Plan, 2007 — 13, which was published in January, 2007 contains the largest ever Government investment programme for the development of the arts and culture, tourism and sport sectors. The NDP includes an €800m Tourism Development Programme, a €904m Cultural Sub-Programme and a €991m Sport Sub-Programme. These programmes contain a wide range of capital schemes and projects which will be progressively rolled out over the lifetime of the Plan. The Government is committed to implementing the NDP and I look forward to advancing the full range of projects envisaged during my tenure as Minister.