Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to take any specific measures to encourage the maximisation of benefit from the sport and recreational sectors in the effort toward economic recovery in view of recent recognition, as reported, of the major influence the sector has on national and local economic issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1860/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I recognise the wider economic benefits that continued investment in sport can achieve. The allocation for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) for 2012 is almost €44.5 million. Participation in sport can bring benefits in terms of health and well-being which can in turn produce an economic dividend through reducing costs to the health sector. The funding to the ISC will continue to support the work of the National Governing Bodies of Sport and a wide range of programmes through the Local Sports Partnerships to increase participation rates.

The ISC will also continue to support our elite athletes as they compete on the world stage. The performance of Irish athletes internationally, in areas including golf, rugby, soccer and boxing, not only boosts the morale of the country itself but promotes our image internationally and draws tourism to Ireland from around the world. It is estimated that sports tourism brings in around €350 million per year into the country.

Over the next five years, capital funding has been set aside for two Sports Capital Programmes and the completion of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, as well as the development of the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown (Abbotstown) on an incremental basis. This sports funding will support local sporting facilities, and will also ensure that all projects in the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme can be completed. These capital programmes will also help to support existing jobs, and in some cases create new ones.