Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

400 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the amount available under the National Development Plan proposals for the BMW region relating to recreational and community leisure facilities; when this programme will be in operation in order that community and other groups can apply for substantial grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22050/00]

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

Under the culture, recreation and sports measure of the local infrastructure sub-programme of the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Operational Programme of the NDP, a sum of £26 million has been specifically allocated for the provision of community sporting and recreational facilities for 2000-6. These facilities will be located at gateway towns to be identified in the national spatial strategy currently being undertaken by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Once the gateway towns have been identified, proposals will be sought from local authorities, and where appropriate voluntary and community organisations, for the provision or upgrading of sport and recreational facilities.

Work on the identification of regional gateways is scheduled for completion by mid-2001, when implementation of the measure can begin. The sports capital programme will continue to also provide funding for sporting facilities at national, regional and local level. This year the sport capital programme allocated some £36 million to nearly 700 local community based projects and to a number of national and regional projects throughout the country. This Government has increased the level of provision for sport in gen eral from £13.5 million in 1997 to over £51 million for the year 2000.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

401 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will designate the Phoenix centre, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, as a regional sport and recreation complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22087/00]

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

Following the public advertising of the sport capital programme for 2000, in excess of 1,600 applications were received, including an application from the organisation in question. All of the applications were assessed in accordance with the assessment criteria outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions governing the programme. Following this assessment the organisation in question was unsuccessful and this decision, together with a copy of the assessment conducted on the application, was conveyed to the organisation. I should point out that the organisation in question has already received grants totalling £250,000 under the sports capital programme in previous years. While the facility has the capacity to cater for a wide range of activities for its surrounding area I have no proposals to designate it as a regional centre.

I am currently planning to invite applications for funding under the sports capital programme for 2001 in December.