Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
611. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the impact the €3.1 million reduction in funding for the Irish Sports Council will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44575/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe difficult economic situation is having an impact on public spending across all sectors of society and spending on sport is no different. The cut in the budget for the Irish Sports Council for 2014 currently stands at around €3.1m but I hope to be able to alleviate that somewhat through adjustments in the Vote of my own Department. However I will have to see the details of the Council's proposals before doing so. Given the very limited resources available to me, I need to be satisfied that any funding I can reallocate from other uses will deliver a very substantial additional benefit for sport.
I would point out to the Deputy that the total Sports budget will go up from €74.6m to €93.5m, which is a substantial increase of over 25%. This increase will enable us to launch another round of the Sports Capital Programme and commence work on the long outstanding Indoor Arena at the National Sports Campus. This is welcome news for community sports clubs across the country and will increase participation in sports. Clubs will be able to apply for essential works like new changing rooms, pitches, lighting and other projects for the second time since this Government took office. It will also mean that we will be able to fund regional projects as happened with the last programme.
This increased funding for sports comes at a time when there are many calls on limited Government resources and demonstrates the Government's commitment to sport and its understanding of its value both to the economy and the health of the nation.
