Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:59. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding being provided to sports in 2013 and to compare this to recent years. [54336/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 19 December 2013
Ceisteanna (59)
Freagraí scríofa
The total funding provided to sport by my Department in recent years is €81.9m in 2011, €77.7m in 2012, €72.3m in 2013 and an allocation of €93.4m for 2014. This total contribution of some €325 million over the four years includes €177m in current funding which is channelled through the Irish Sports Council. This supports the work of the National Governing Bodies of Sport and a wide range of programmes through the Local Sports Partnerships to increase participation rates. 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.
It also allows the Council to support our elite athletes through the High Performance Programme as they compete on the world stage. The performance of Irish athletes not only boosts the morale of the country but promotes our image internationally and draws tourism to Ireland from around the world.
The balance of the contribution comprises €148m in capital funding which supports the development of sports facilities through the Sports Capital Programme, the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and funding for the National Sports Campus.