Vol. 506 No. 3
34 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has for the provision of indoor sporting and recreational facilities in line with modern requirements and demographic trends with particular reference to areas with special needs in respect of the young, middle aged and senior citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15508/99]
49 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the degree to which he proposes to provide investment in sporting and recreational facilities with a view to improving the opportunities for Irish sportsmen and women in international events and, ultimately, the Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 49 together.
Following a comprehensive review of the provisions of the existing programme, applications were invited at the end of 1998 under a new revised sports capital programme funded from the national lottery surplus.
While allocations will continue to be made on the basis of applications made under the programme, special priority will in future be given to proposals for facilities in disadvantaged areas, in line with Government policy aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation in these areas. Disadvantaged areas are defined as those designated under the operational programme for local, urban and rural development 1995-1999.
Applicants are now required to consult with other clubs and community groups, including schools, with sport and recreational facilities in their areas, and the local authority, before making an application for funding and to show the outcome of such consultations. The purpose of this is to ensure that regard is had to the identified requirements of individual areas and that the proposed development does not result in overlap with and/or duplication of existing facilities. Sports clubs developing projects at national and regional levels are also required to ensure that their proposals are consistent with the priorities of their national governing bodies with regard to training and competition requirements. In addition, my Department will consult, as appropriate, when assessing applications with other relevant Departments and agencies, including the Irish Sports Council, with a view to ensuring co-ordination in the provision of sport and recreational facilities at local level.
I expect to make announcements on the 1999 round of grant allocations under the new sports capital programme in the near future. While no decisions have yet been made on what national facilities, if any, will be funded under the programme in 1999, the Deputy may wish to note that I recently decided that an in-depth feasibility study should be commissioned in relation to a proposal to develop an indoor athletics facility at Morton Stadium. The study will examine a number of issues, including the demand for such a facility and the optimum scale and projected costs of the proposed facility.
