To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for her assessment of the impact of cuts to Disability Sport NI's funding on the legacy of Northern Ireland's performance at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Ms Ní Chuilín (The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Member for her question. I can advise Members that the funding allocation to Disability Sport NI has no direct impact on the activities of Special Olympics Ireland, which is a completely separate organisation. I can confirm that, as part of a £2·3 million cross-departmental package, which also included funding from colleagues in OFMDFM, DHSSPS, DSD and DE, DCAL provided £459,000 of core funding to Special Olympics Ireland for the four-year period from 2011-15. The package was extended by a further £545,000 for the 2015-16 period. The funding package has enabled the organisation to expand its activities throughout the North and to extend its reach in providing sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. It included support for the athletes from here who represented Ireland in this year's Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The Special Olympics team had one of the most successful games ever, with athletes from the North making a significant contribution to the medals won at the games. I am delighted to report that the team did exceptionally well, securing 82 medals. I am also proud of the achievements of the 12 athletes from the North, who secured 19 medals, including five gold, nine silver and five bronze.

Ms Ní Chuilín

I thank the Member for her supplementary question. Indeed, Coleraine has a great heritage of Olympians, Paralympians and Special Olympians. There are greater numbers participating in sport generally across the board. There are clear increases there. The answer is yes. At the minute, we are working with colleagues in Sport NI. I recently met Special Olympics Ireland as well. I will have meetings with Disability Sport NI to ensure, particularly when we are looking at the next CSR, that business cases are not only refreshed but try to reflect the increase in participation numbers among athletes. It is really important that we do that, given that, based on their successes in competitions, it is not only about participation but the athletes' achievements, which have been enjoyed by us all.

Mrs McKevitt

Will the Minister outline how her Department and Sport NI will support athletes preparing for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics? A bit of investment has been put in, and you can see that through the medals that have been won. However, what further advice and money can her Department give to those preparing for the Olympics?

Ms Ní Chuilín

I thank the Member for her question. She will remember the build-up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In particular, the work of the families and the governing bodies ensured that the athletes were able to go over to London and perform. It is that sort of spirit that we are hoping to capture for the 2016 games, but that will not happen on its own without support, particularly from Sport NI to the governing bodies. I know that, as we speak, Sport NI is actively meeting all the local governing bodies about the athletes' performance programme and the other supports that we can give them in preparation for the 2016 games.

Mrs Overend

It is recognised that the Minister's budget is limited, but is she prepared to reconsider her existing allocations to the disability sports' legacy?

Ms Ní Chuilín

We need to look at protections for disability sports, particularly in the arm's-length bodies. As I said in response to Mrs McKevitt, we are working with Sport NI, Disability Sport NI and, indeed, some of the other governing bodies that provide opportunities for people with disabilities.

We certainly need to ensure that, if we receive additional moneys, we target those who are in most need.