Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 794: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of the local sports partnerships per year; if he is committed to maintaining this funding as vital to increasing participation in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38041/09]

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 the promotion and development of sport, including initiatives such as the Local Sports Partnership network, through which sports initiatives at local level are coordinated and delivered. The network was launched in May 2001 and fully established in 2008, bringing the number of sites to 33. I am informed by the Council that in 2009 the ISC's contribution to the LSP network is €6.2m.

While funding of the LSPs is a matter for the ISC, I understand that the Irish Sports Council, even with a reduced budget, intends to continue with its support of the LSP initiative.