To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in what ways she expects Northern Ireland to benefit from the 2012 Olympic Games. (85441)

The Government are determined that the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, can contribute to and benefit from the games in 2012.

Anticipated benefits include: increased interest and participation in sport, employment and business opportunities generated by hosting pre-event training camps, volunteering opportunities, an increase in tourism throughout the whole of the UK and the cultural festivities relating to the Cultural Olympiad.

A Nations and Regions Group (NRG), has been established to provide leadership and strategic direction in ensuring that the whole of the UK is engaged with these benefits. Each nation and region, including Northern Ireland, is represented on the NRG and has been tasked with developing a delivery plan to ensure that the many opportunities are realised for their nation or region.

Northern Ireland has established its own task force to drive forward this agenda. The group chaired by the permanent secretary of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), includes representation from sport, culture, tourism, Invest NI, local government and other interested bodies who will be responsible for delivering the benefits for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the number of tourists visiting the South West region during the 2012 Olympics. (86098)

My Department has made no estimate of the number of tourists who will visit the South West region during the 2012 Olympics.