Grant assistance is provided for sport and recreation facilities by my Department under the recreational facilities scheme and under the major sports capital programme. The total allocation provided for the recreational facilities scheme since the introduction of the national lottery in 1988 amounts to £8.9 million, which includes £3 million from Exchequer funds provided in the 1994 budget. The total amount allocated specifically to youth facilities amounts to £517,000 or 5.8 per cent of total available under this scheme.
A total of 81 applications specifically in respect of youth facilities were received by my Department earlier this year in response to the advertisement seeking applications under the scheme. Grants totalling £227,000 were allocated to 39 projects which represents 48 per cent of the applications received.
The projects assisted include the provision, refurbishment and improvement of scout dens, youth clubs and other youth facilites.