Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 802: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for the future of the sports inclusion disability officer programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30434/09]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 803: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the fact that the sports inclusion disability officer programme has been a success in enabling those with a disability the opportunity to participate in sport; if he will confirm that continuing funding beyond 2009 will be made available to continue this project; if, in view of the success of this programme he will consider extending the scheme to all 33 local sports partnerships here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 802 and 803 together.

Special funding of €2.3 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund, through my Department, for the appointment of 20 Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDOs) in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in 2008. The SIDOs were appointed on two-year contracts to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has overall responsibility for dormant accounts spending. The funding through my Department is an element of a larger set of economic and social disadvantage funding measures including funding for persons with a disability.

A network of 33 LSPs have been set up throughout the country by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) to coordinate and promote sport at local level especially amongst specific target groups such as older people, girls & women, people with disabilities, unemployed people, and those who live in identified disadvantaged communities. The special dormant accounts funding was in addition to the annual funding provided to the LSPs by the ISC for programmes and initiatives aimed at increasing participation in recreational sport. The ISC has allocated €6 million to the LSPs in 2009. The continuation of the SIDO scheme from 2010 will be dependent on negotiations on the 2010 Estimates.