The Irish Sports Council's recently finalised Statement of Strategy for 2000-2002 includes the planning for, and support of, the future development of Irish sport in association with a number of agencies. A copy of the strategy will be laid before each House shortly.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness the Irish Sports Council is currently working on its proposals to develop local sport and recreational programmes, through the establishment of local sports partnerships.
In developing these proposals the Irish Sports Council will engage, in the course of this year, with the relevant statutory agencies and community and voluntary interests in identifying the issues which need to be addressed. They expect to have final proposals ready for consideration by my Department in the context of the Estimates for 2001.