David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the ways in which his Department promotes or supports participation by people with a disability in sport and physical activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41194/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport.

The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 specifically states that the ISC has responsibility for developing "strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to coordinate their implementation by all bodies (including public authorities and publicly funded bodies) involved in promoting recreational sport and providing recreational facilities". According to the ISC's strategy "Building Sport for Life" the ISC's mission is "To plan, lead and coordinate the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland". In that context, the ISC runs many programmes to promote, and support participation in, sport for all.

Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are awarded towards the provision of sporting and recreational facilities throughout the country. It is a condition of the Programme that facilities grant aided under the Programme are accessible by persons with a disability.