Press Release

Budget 2007: Sport
2007 Sports Budget is €316.87m

• €76m provided towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road
• €30m allocated towards Phase 1 of the Sports Campus at Abbotstown
• €87.8m provided towards improving the sporting infrastructure at local and regional level
• €49m for Irish Sports Council - an increase of 20%
• €71.81m for Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund
• €2 million in the 2007 Budget for Special Olympics Ireland
• New Stamp Duty Exemption for Sporting Bodies

"This Government understands that sport and physical activity have huge potential to contribute to developing a more healthy society. We want to ensure that all our young people are encouraged and given opportunities to participate in sport and enjoy all the benefits that sport can bring through developing a healthy lifestyle." - Minister O'Donoghue

"Today's budget provides further evidence of the Government's commitment to provide practical support for sporting bodies seeking to develop their facilities. These bodies already benefit from specific income tax and capital gains tax exemptions and can now look forward to benefiting from an exemption from stamp duties on lands purchased for the purpose of promoting sports to be provided for in the 2007 Finance Bill. This will complement the support provided under my Department's annual Sports Capital Programme for the provision of improved sporting facilities at local, regional and national levels."

Speaking on the allocation to Special Olympics Ireland, Minister O'Donoghue said: "I am delighted that the Minister for Finance has included additional funding of €2 million in the 2007 Budget for Special Olympics Ireland. The Government holds the Special Olympics organisation in high regard and this is recognised by its commitment to funding. The programmes which are implemented by the organisation for people with intellectual disabilities have a profound positive impact on families and communities. The organisation now has 11,000 affiliated members in 402 clubs countrywide with a network of 101 communities supporting these clubs.

"Since 1999, the Irish Sports Council has provided core funding of €4 million to Special Olympics Ireland towards the costs of its activities including almost €600,000 this year. In the recently published Estimates, the 2007 budget for the Irish Sports Council has increased by 20% or over €8 million to more than €49 million.

"The Government also provided an allocation of almost €14 million towards the successful hosting of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland in 2003. This is in addition to capital grants under the Sports Capital Programme of €21 million to assist in the upgrading of a number of sports facilities, which hosted various events during the course of the Games.

"The additional funding of €2 million provided in this year's Budget will help Special Olympics Ireland meet its extensive financial commitments next year with the World Games being held in Shanghai where some 200 athletes and coaches will represent Ireland.

Minister O'Donoghue sad that these measures should be placed in the context of the highest ever budget for Sport of €316.87 million, the details of which he outlined in his comments on the publication of the 2007 Estimates last month. This allocation, the Minister remarked, will enable him to press ahead with his ambitious plans for transforming the sporting infrastructure of this country, including the delivery of two major projects, which are vital to our international sporting profile.

Phase 1 of the Sports Campus at Abbotstown is now underway. It provides for the development of modern facilities including pitches and support facilities for the three major field sports - rugby, soccer and Gaelic games, with shared core facilities including accommodation, fitness area, medical and gym facilities. Facilities will also be provided to cater for over 30 indoor sports including badminton, basketball, bowling, boxing, judo, and table tennis. Community playing pitches and support facilities are also included in this plan

The Minister said: "This Government has made a considerable effort to bring our sporting infrastructure into line with best international standards. The Sports Campus at Abbotstown can be seen as the jewel in the crown and a fitting venue for our elite athletes in their preparations for future international competitions. As I have said many times before, this wonderful facility will not be merely confined to the elite but but also for the many people who visit it.

Exciting plans have been drawn up for the construction of a modern state-of-the-art stadium at Lansdowne Road to which the Government has committed €191 million. Planning for delivery of this project remains on schedule. Minister O'Donoghue remarked that on the assumption that the remaining stages of the planning process remain on track, he looked forward to the commencement of on-site activity early next year and to completion of the project in the latter half of 2009. We will then have a world-class home to cater for the international rugby and soccer requirements of the IRFU and the FAI.

Minister O'Donoghue also notes that: "The budget for the Sports Council has been increased from €40.9 million to €49.025 million - a rise of 20% in 2007. This increase will help ensure that the Sports Council can continue to deliver their various programmes and initiatives aimed at increasing participation by people of all ages in healthy sport and physical recreation as well as in raising standards in competitive and elite sport.

"The funding will also enable the Council to further embed the new Irish Institute of Sport which will be the powerhouse which will drive Ireland's progress towards improved and sustained performance levels in World, Olympic and Paralympic sport.

"The Sports Council will also be able to expand their various initiatives and programmes aimed at increasing and enhancing people's involvement in sport through the further spread of the local sports partnerships, the development of hurling and camogie as well as Gaelic games in Dublin, special funding for women in sport as well as giving further impetus to its activities in promoting sport in schools and among young people. The new national governing body for equestrian sport, Horse Sport Ireland, has been established and the Sports Council will provide the funding required by this new body in 2007 which should help lead Ireland to its rightful position as a world leader in equestrianism."

ENDS