Vol. 544 No. 1
216 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the aims and objectives of the south and east regional operational programme for the provision of community sporting and recreational facilities under the culture, recreation and sports measure of the local infrastructure sub-programme; when he expects to identify locations; the work which has been carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28116/01]
The culture, recreation and sports measure of the south and east regional operational programme – local infrastructure sub-programme – will support the balanced regional development and social inclusion priorities of the national development plan.
The specific objectives of the initiative as outlined in the programme complement are to promote and facilitate the pursuit of healthy, productive leisure activities and lifestyles, to address critical gaps identified in relation to the quality and supply of sporting and recreational infrastructure, and to enhance quality of life and support local development especially through the creation of a strong sense of local identity and community involvement in leisure activities.
The commencement of this sub-measure is dependent on the completion of the national spatial strategy. The intention is that these facilities will be located so as to meet the needs of population centres which are spatially well dispersed and in which significant growth is expected in the medium term. A national spatial strategy will be submitted to Government shortly by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. Once the hub areas have been identified I will begin the process of consultation with local authorities and voluntary groups aimed at putting an appropriate sports and recreational facilities investment programme in place.
