Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sports Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

42 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if adequate recreational facilities exist or are planned to meet population requirements with particular reference to indoor and outdoor events, for example, track and field; if facilities are comparable to those available in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24482/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if indoor or outdoor recreational facilities are comparable to those available in other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24710/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 106 together.

This Government has signalled its commitment to the development of sport and recreational facilities by increasing the funding for capital expenditure for this purpose, by more than 350 per cent, from £8.5 million in 1997 to £39.4 million in the Estimates for the year 2000. This increase includes provision for a trebling in funding for the sport capital programme from £5 million in 1997 to £15 million in 2000; a fourfold increase in the provision for the swimming pool programme from £3.5 million in 1997 to £15 million in 2000; almost £6 million towards the development of Ireland's first ever 50 metre swimming pool and £20 million support towards the development of Croke Park, the final £6 million of which is due for payment in 2000.

Following an application process earlier this year under the sport capital programme, allocations totalling some £18 million have been made in 1999 to some 400 local community based projects and to a number of national and regional projects throughout the country. Provision is being made in the multi-annual estimates for the continuation of the programme at 1999 levels in 2000 and 2001.

I have also secured an increase in funding of £36 million over the next three years for the swimming pool programme – from £3 million in 1999 to £15 million per annum for the next three years.

Specifically in relation to track and field facilities the following allocations were made under the 1999 sports capital programme: £500,000 to the NUI, Galway towards the further development of the regional sports centre; £300,000 to the Cork Institute of Technology for the refurbishment of the existing synthetic athletic track; £300,000 grant confirmed towards the development of athletic facilities in Navan and £265,000 towards the development of a synthetic athletic track at Castleisland.

Fingal County Council has recently completed a feasibility study on the provision of an indoor athletics training facility adjacent to the existing athletics facilities at Morton Stadium, which is prioritised in the recently published review of the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium.

Under the national development plan announced last week, financial assistance amounting to £85 million will be available over the seven years of the plan to support the development of sport and recreational facilities by local authorities, particularly in areas which lack them and for voluntary groups developing multi-sport and recreational facilities where no such facilities currently exist.

I am not aware of any study which compares the range of facilities available here with those in other EU countries. I am satisfied, however, that there is now under way an ambitious programme of State assisted expansion in a wide range of sports facilities, catering for both the elite participant and the general public, right across the country.