Dick Spring
Question:59 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the specific steps which are being initiated for the establishment and expansion of sports and leisure activities in disadvantaged areas.
Written Answers. - Provision of Sport and Leisure Facilities.
Dick Spring
Question:65 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education whether facilities for sports and leisure in disadvantaged areas will be commercially or voluntarily funded.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 65 together.
My Department make grants available from the proceeds of the national lottery under a scheme approved by Government for the provision of specified regional and local sports centres. Subject to specified maxima in each case, the grants were intended to meet the full cost of the regional centres and 70 per cent of the cost of the local centres, with the balance being met from local fundraising.
Proposals for the provision of regional sports in Cork and Athlone under a design, construct, finance and manage package have been received from private consortia and are under consideration.
These centres are designed to serve the entire community in which they are located. The requirements of disadvantaged areas are more specifically addressed in complementary schemes for the provision of sports and leisure facilities which are operated by the Department of the Environment and by local authorities. As the Deputy is aware, the provision under the recreational facilities scheme formerly administered by my Department was transferred to the Department of the Environment in 1989.