Vol. 518 No. 3
40 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the support and funding to be provided for the development of local sports and recreation programmes in view of the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11480/00]
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.
The Minister said the Irish Sports Council will identify the needs of local sports partnerships. Is this not passing the buck further? Is the Minister aware, while acknowledging the finance provided to national organisations, there are thousands of sporting and youth organisations throughout the length and breadth of the country which get little or nothing to assist them in providing sport, recreation and youth facilities? For example, in my county council area the vast majority of sport organisations get about £100 per year. What will he do about this?
There are a number of organisations dealing with youth and sport throughout the country. I disagree with the Deputy who said there are thousands of them. He must understand the youth and sport organisations do not come under the aegis of my Department. My Department has responsibility for the sports capital programme whereas my colleague, Deputy O'Dea, has responsibility for youth and sport. We have an agreement with the VEC which is the medium for funding youth and sport organisations. I agree that perhaps there should be more funding since we are all seeking to increase our budgets. I presume the Deputy is speaking from an administrative point of view. Youth and sport organisations do not come within my Department's area of responsibility and administration is dealt with elsewhere.
Will the Minister agree with an observation made to me recently by a visitor from abroad who said there is very little to do in Dublin, and perhaps throughout Ireland in general, for young people who do not drink? Is it part of his strategy in fund raising these grounds to find alternative recreation and sporting outlets for young people who do not drink? The Minister will be aware, as I am, of the concern expressed recently by responsible medical and other people who see the damage caused by alcohol which is as bad as that caused by drugs. Is it part of the Minister's strategy to provide more outlets which are not drink related?
Yes, that is the policy of the Department under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ryan. I hope we can implement such a policy. Some £25 million has been provided under the youth facilities scheme, all of which has yet to be drawn down. During the Deputy's Administration the URBAN programme was committed to it. It is a matter of getting all the facilities which came under the URBAN programme, my colleague's programme and those which come under the aegis of my Department to do something about it. A great deal of money is involved. In my Department's capital programme, for example, £31 million is currently committed to more than 900 projects. The combined effect of the URBAN project which was administered by Deputy Allen and the current programme will be to make more facilities available.
Reference is made to this issue in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Has the Irish Sports Council begun to implement this programme and what actions have emanated from the council? How much money will be available annually for this programme?
The members of the Irish Sports Council presented me with the report and told me of their plans for the future. The council is determined that there is little point in setting up a sports council unless it can achieve something. The calibre of those involved in the council is very high.
The council has not made any proposals regarding the amount of funding required to implement its policy, which it intends to do after 2001.
