Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he intends to increase volunteerism in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26505/11]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Volunteers play a vital role in Irish sport and research has shown that sport accounts for the majority of all volunteering in Ireland. As well as generating social value, there is an economic value of volunteering in sport, and estimates of this have ranged from over €300 million to almost €600 million annually.

The commitment and hard work of volunteers is a key part of the development of sports organisations and clubs throughout the country. Volunteerism translates into well-ordered clubs and sporting organisations that provide the environment for the nurturing of sporting talent, particularly amongst our young people. It is imperative then that we make the best efforts to support and protect these volunteers and encourage new volunteers. This is particularly relevant in this European Year of Volunteering.

The Irish Sports Council provides funding and support to the National Governing Bodies of sport, many of which are volunteer based. The national network of Local Sports Partnerships, which are also funded through the Sports Council, provide sports clubs with information on best practice and governance and operate in conjunction with clubs and volunteers to promote and develop sport in communities throughout the country.

The National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport were introduced in 2007 to celebrate the contribution of the 400,000 plus volunteers involved in Irish sport. Earlier this year, I was pleased to honour eleven individuals for their voluntary commitment to sports clubs and organisations throughout the country. The Awards programme aims to provide encouragement to existing volunteers and reach out to encourage new volunteers for the future.