The main social aspects of sport in Ireland have a combined economic value of €1.4 billion, or, 1.26 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP), according to a report released today.
The Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland, produced by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in association with the Irish Sports Council, illustrates that the physical benefits of sport are matched by its broader social contribution and it is hoped the study may prove useful for future investment planning.
Unveiling the report today, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue said that sport was the major contributor to social capital in Ireland today and that this was largely based on the contributions of volunteers. With 20 per cent of Irish adults playing sport on a regular basis, the findings show that for every four adults who play there are three who volunteer, representing a significant level of social activity.
"Isn't it extraordinary that 400,000, or 15 per cent of the population, should offer their services in a voluntary way to sport? Given the genuine concerns expressed in many quarters about the nature of the modern tiger Ireland, this statistic offers hope and assurance about the nature of our country," said the Minister.
Volunteers provide an annual labour input which, if valued at the minimum hourly wage, would amount €267 million per year.
The publication also shows that subscriptions taken in by clubs around the country come to about €200 million each year and attendance at sports events generates over €525 million worth of economic activity. This figure includes the purchase of tickets and the cost of attending matches including transport and food.
In addition, the cost of participating in sporting activity, which involves the purchase of equipment and clothes, amounts to 413 million annually.
Singling out the GAA, the report calls it one of the "great generators of social capital in Ireland" and concludes that the organisation is a model of what the voluntary, community-based sports organisation can contribute to society.
A report on children and sport will be published later this month.