Vol. 523 No. 4
230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if sufficient support is available for coaching facilities from the proceeds of the national lottery or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21380/00]
This Government has signalled its commitment to the development of sport and recreation by increasing the funding available from £13.5 million in 1997 to over £51 million this year.
This increase includes provision for: a trebling in funding for the sports 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; athletics facilities in Navan, Galway, Cork, Nenagh and Castleisland; £4.8 million towards the provision of the new indoor athletics facility being planned for Morton Stadium; grants to GAA and soccer grounds; and grants to the value of £36 million have been allocated this year to almost 700 clubs and organisations around the country towards the provision of sport and recreation facilities to help ensure a network of well planned, well managed and appropriate facilities to meet the needs of training, coaching and competition across a wide spectrum of sports.
I would also point out that, under schemes now operating since 1 July 1999 under the aegis of the statutory Irish Sports Council, the national governing bodies of sports receive funding towards their activities including the provision and development of coaching. In addition, the Sports Council also provides funding to the national coaching and training centre for the development and enhancement of coaching in Ireland as well as for the provision of physiological, scientific, medical and other related services to elite individual competitors and squads.
I am satisfied that that there is now under way an ambitious programme of State assisted expansion in a wide range of sports facilities and support services, catering for both the elite participant and the general public, right across the country.
Question No. 231 taken with Question No. 13.
