Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Recreational Facilities.

Jack Wall

Question:

160 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will provide funding to local authorities for local authority estates for recreational needs for the children of the estates where no such facilities are provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19269/01]

Jack Wall

Question:

161 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funding his Department has provided under the recreation brief of his Department; the type of applications received; the type of group or association seeking such funding; if he has satisfied himself that this aspect of his Department is meeting the demands of all counties; the plans he has to overcome criminal violence and the threat to senior citizens in estates by the provision of proper recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19270/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

I have been informed by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Molloy, that the provision of open spaces, recreational and sports facilities and amenity areas specifically in local authority housing schemes is a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance.

Meanwhile, my Department provides substantial funding under its sports capital programmes to assist organisations, clubs, community groups and local authorities in the provision of sport and recreational facilities to cater for a broad spectrum of sports and activities for all age groups and levels of participation, at national, regional and local levels. Since taking office, I have allo cated around £102 million to more than 2,020 projects in cities, towns and villages. Over the three years of the previous Government, only £18 million was allocated to such projects.

Furthermore, and specifically to assist the local authorities in the provision of good quality swimming pools for their local communities, I increased the annual budget of £3 million provided by the previous Government to a funding package of £45 million for the three year period 2000-02.

The young people's facilities and services fund was established in 1998 for the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities and services in disadvantaged areas and to date approximately £46 million has been allocated to support more than 340 facility or service projects in these areas. Under this year's sports capital programme alone I allocated another £23.5 million to 370 sport and recreational facilities in designated disadvantaged areas in various parts of the country.

With other funding provided by my Department, the Irish Sports Council operates a range of programmes with national governing bodies and other organisations aimed at providing enhanced opportunities for all, including young people, to participate in sport and recreation. The council is piloting eight local sports partnerships as a further means of creating sustainable sports development infrastructure at local level and in increasing participation in sport. The council is also working with the GAA, FAI and IRFU in the implementation of special initiatives both in identified areas of disadvantage and in the wider community, to promote and develop greater opportunities and increased involvement of children and young people in sport and recreation.