Vol. 541 No. 3
182 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his plans for the provision of adequate sports and recreational facilities in or adjacent to towns or villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22687/01]
Under the sports capital programme administered by my Department grants to the value of £105.5 million have been allocated to 2,035 projects in villages, parishes, towns and cities right throughout Ireland since this Government took office. This funding, which supports the provision of sports and recreational facilities which benefit local communities, represents a substantial increase in funding over the £18 million provided for sports facilities over the three years 1995 to 1997. In addition, the Government has provided a sum of £45 million for the period 2000-02 under the local authority swimming pool programme. The previous Government had provided a total of just £3 million per annum for the implementation of this programme.
I intend to advertise details of the 2002 sports capital programme later this year. Under the programme it is open to voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies of sport, schools, colleges and local authorities to apply for support towards the provision of sports and recreational facilities.
