Sport: Employment Creation 2nd October 2013

2nd October 2013 - Bernard Durkan TD

Dáil Question
No: 62 , 655,656,657

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full extent of employment generated by the sporting sector annually over the past five years to date; the extent to which opportunities arise for further enhancement leading to job creation throughout the sector; steps he plans to take the effect of which would be economic resurgence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 1st October, 2013.

Ref No:

40808/13

Dáil Question
No:

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects sporting activity or associated sectors to generate economic activity resulting in contribution toward economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Bernard J. Durkan. * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st October, 2013. Ref No: 41130/13 Proof: 735

Dáil Question
No:

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which economic expansion may benefit from sport-associated activity; if he will predict the future annual job creating potential arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Bernard J. Durkan. * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st October, 2013. Ref No: 41131/13 Proof: 736

Dáil Question
No:

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which economic activity generated through sport and recreation including job creation has developed in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which the level of employment generated throughout may be improved in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Bernard J. Durkan. * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 1st October, 2013. Ref No: 41129/13

Answered by the Minister of State for Sports and Tourism
Michael Ring

REPLY

I propose to answer Questions no 62 ,655, 656 and 657 together.

These questions relate to employment and economic benefit from the sport sector.

Sport makes a significant contribution to the economy and is an important driver of growth and employment. The sports 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” report, which was prepared for the Irish Sports Council in 2010, indicates that sport and sport-related activities support over 38,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Grants provided by my Department for capital projects support employment. For example, my officials have calculated that the €13.5 million in the sports capital subhead in 2013 will support almost 600 jobs in the construction and related sectors in 2013. Furthermore, the Deputy will appreciate that as a large proportion of the Sports Capital Programme spending is directed at grantees in rural areas where alternative employment opportunities may not be readily available, the importance of SCP spending for rural employment is particularly significant.

The ongoing development of facilities at the National Sports Campus is also supporting construction jobs and will provide jobs in the future for the opearion of the Campus facilities when completed..

In addition, grant funding provided through the Irish Sports Council for the National Governing Bodies of Sport supports a large number of jobs throughout the country.

There is a very extensive financial dividend to be obtained through the success of major sporting events, particularly those with an international dimension. Not only does sports tourism bring revenue and boost the economy, it helps support jobs. The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland.

Bernard Durkan TD

Kildare North

Bernard J Durkan is the Fine Gael spokesperson on Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Originally from Killasser, Co Mayo,…

Sport: Employment Creation 2nd October 2013

Bernard Durkan TD

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