Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will continue the funding for the sports inclusion disability officer for Waterford for all of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42321/09]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding for the sports disability officer programme will be continued after 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41992/09]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the concerns and proposals in correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42291/09]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 234: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42319/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229, 233 and 234 together.

Special funding of €2.5 million was allocated from the dormant accounts fund 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. 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 and 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.