Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the expenditure in the development, support and promotion of active sporting activities in each of the past five years to date; his proposals for such expenditure for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41844/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the long-term investment in competitive sporting activities with a view to encouraging greater participation in international competitive events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41845/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which he proposes to incentivise participation in competitive sporting activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41846/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals to generate greater interest in sports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41847/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 183, inclusive, together.

The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive and recreational sport. The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 specifically states that one of the functions of the ISC shall be "to encourage the promotion, development and coordination of competitive sport and the achievement of excellence in competitive sport" and that the Council 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". The ISC prepares an annual report which is available from the Council.

In that context, the ISC receives an annual Grant in Aid from my Department. The ISC determines the allocation of funding to the development, support and promotion of active sporting activities and funding to competitive and high performance sport.

In tandem with the programmes which are funded by the Irish Sports Council aimed at improving standards of performance and increasing participation in sport, the Department, through the Sports Capital Programme, allocates funding for the provision of sports facilities throughout the country.