Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sports Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the total allocated from the proceeds of the national lottery and other sources for the provision of sporting and recreational activities throughout the country in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/01]

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

The total allocation for sport and recreation programmes included in this years' Book of Estimates amounts to £83.407 million. The corresponding figures for 2000 and 1999 are £51.478 million and £39.831 million, respectively. These allocations represent a substantial increase in funding over the £13.5 million provided by the previous Government in 1997.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the total amount he expects to be in a position to allocate for the provision of sporting and recreational facilities throughout the country in 2001 and in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16433/01]

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

The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding to voluntary sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities. Under the 2001 sports capital programme I have received 1,467 applications requesting total funding of £221.6 million and these are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines for the programme. As soon as the assessment of the projects has been completed, I will be in a position to finalise the overall budget for this year's allocation. Regarding the 2002 sports capital programme, I will be publicly advertising it later this year. My Department's Estimates for 2002 will reflect the estimated level of funding required for grant expenditure in relation to works on approved projects under the programme.

In the past three years, 1998-2000, this Government has allocated grants to the value of £62 million approximately to in excess of 1,300 projects. Compared with the three-year total of £18 million in allocations by the previous Government in the period 1995 to 1997, the commitment of this Government to the provision of funding for sport and recreation facilities nationwide is clear, particularly when consideration is made of other sports facilities funding administered by my Department, which include the local authority swimming pool programme, under which the Government has provided £45 million funding over the three year period 2000-02, effectively increasing the annual budget from £3 million per annum to £15 million over these three years; the national 50 metre swimming pool at the University of Limerick currently under construction and due to be opened later this year. The total cost of the pool is £5.95 million. Provision to enable capital grant payments to be made to develop the pool in 2001 is £5.097 million which includes £197,000 towards annual running costs associated with the pool. The only costs projected for 2002 for the pool are for a provision of £202,000 towards running costs; and Sports Campus Ireland – provision to enable capital payments for Campus and Stadium Ireland in 2001 is £32 million, consisting of £30 million capital and £2 million current. A capital and current provision of £80 million is projected for 2002.

The greatly increased funding for sport provided by this Government has resulted in a considerably enhanced quality and range of top class facilities from national level to local community clubs and centres. The further increases in funding will enable me to continue the work of providing a network of high quality, appropriate and sustainable sport and recreation facilities countrywide.