Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

110 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide the necessary funding required by the Morton Stadium in Santry to ensure it is ready and fully suitable for the Special Olympics in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19074/02]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

115 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if Morton Stadium in Santry will remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19131/02]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I wish to take Questions Nos. 110 and 115 together.

My Department and I are fully appreciative of the key role which Morton Stadium, Santry, is playing and will continue to play as the national athletics stadium in Ireland.

The existing facilities at the stadium have been provided with the assistance of more than €2 million in departmental grants. These facilities include a state-of-the-art track, in-field area, spectator accommodation, a range of indoor training and coaching facilities and flood lighting.

There is no question about the suitability of Morton Stadium for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003. As recently as last week, the Special Olympics Games Committee confirmed that "Morton Stadium is suitable to run the track and field competitions for the games as it stands right now". I suggest that this statement from the body responsible for staging the games speaks for itself.

Plans have also been developed to provide an indoor athletics track at the stadium and my Department has allocated a grant of €6 million under the 2000 sports capital programme towards its construction. However, the outcome of the subsequent tendering process was that the cost of the project had almost doubled to €15.5 million, from €9.56 million, and the promised grant level of €6 million was no longer adequate to make the development feasible. It was agreed by all concerned that it would not be appropriate to scale down the project, and its costs, and provide an inferior, second-class facility which would not meet European and world standards. Accordingly, my Department is considering how the project can be progressed.

In relation to the running costs of the stadium, my Department has already been in touch with Fingal County Council on this matter and a formal meeting has been arranged. The Department and the county council will endeavour to reach an accommodation that will enable Fingal County Council to manage these costs.