Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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629. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has analysed the financial contribution to the Exchequer of sporting clubs and bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42395/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Sport makes a significant contribution to the economy and is an important driver of growth and employment. The sport sector's contribution to the economy includes sports tourism, ticket sales, subscriptions and the cost of playing sport, together with the purchase of sports equipment and an economic value of time given by volunteers.   

The "Assessment of Economic Impact of Sport in Ireland" published in 2010 shows that there is a very significant return on Government investment and expenditure on sport in Ireland. Based on figures for 2008, it estimated that overall Government expenditure on grants, capital investment and other sport-related expenditures amounted to €618.3 million. However the Government sector as a whole received a total of €922.4 million in revenues from taxes on sport-supported expenditures and incomes, in addition to revenues from sports facilities.

Sports clubs throughout the country have a significant impact on the economy, as they generate €733 million per year from areas including subscription fees, green fees and bar and food revenue.  The vast majority of these clubs, which number approximately 12,000, are conducted on a voluntary basis, which serves to increase the economic gain generated from their operation.