Bernard Allen
Question:410 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the information workshops, if any, which have taken place in recent months for Sports for All co-ordinators. [18770/97]
Written Answers. - Sports Programme.
Bernard Allen
Question:411 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the current situation, if any, regarding the leadership training programme on sport; the courses, if any, which are currently in progress in this regard. [18771/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.
The programme of leadership training courses operated by Vocational Education Committees is under way at present. This programme is due to be reviewed by the Training and Development Committee of the Irish Sports Council, and such review will include the role and content of any future workshops for Sport for All co-ordinators, appropriate delivery mechanisms for such programmes etc.
Bernard Allen
Question:412 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will establish a National Framework and Consultative Forum for developing recreational sport; and if so, if he will set out the timetable for establishing this forum. [18772/97]
The Irish Sports Council and officials of my Department are currently meeting for preliminary discussions with the various agencies involved at present in organising national campaigns in the area of recreational sport. One of the purposes of these discussions is to identify the issues involved in trying to develop a more co-ordinated approach to the delivery of recreational sports opportunities. When this round of discussions is complete, we will be better placed to consider the most appropriate mechanism for achieving this objective.
Bernard Allen
Question:413 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions, if any, which have taken place with his Northern Ireland counterpart to develop a strategy to secure sponsorship for the young people in sport programme on an all-island basis. [18773/97]
This aspect of Sport for Young People will be considered in consultation with the relevant agencies in Northern Ireland, in the context of future developments, and having particular regard to the lessons of the pilot scheme, Youth Sport Foyle, already under way, involving schools on both sides of the Border.
Bernard Allen
Question:414 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions, if any, which have taken place between himself and his Northern Ireland counterpart to prepare a national Young People in Sport programme on an all-island basis. [18774/97]
Preliminary discussions on this matter have taken place between the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and a pilot scheme. Youth Sport Foyle, which involves schools on both sides of the Border, is already under way. This scheme will provide valuable information and experience on further possible developments in this area on an all-island basis.
Bernard Allen
Question:415 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions, if any, which have taken place, to date, between himself and the Department of Education in order that physical education and community sports programmes will be set up. [18775/97]
The Irish Sports Council and officials of the Department of Education and Science now meet on an ongoing basis to ensure that the links between schools and sport, including sport at community level continue to be maintained and developed.
Bernard Allen
Question:419 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the further progress, if any, which has been made since June 1997 on the proposal to establish four pilot programmes, in partnership with the local authorities, on local sport pilot studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18779/97]
I am currently examining the most effective ways to deliver sport at a local level including the possible role of local authority sport and leisure officers and community facilitators for disadvantaged areas, as proposed in An Action Programme for the Millennium.