Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Funding.

Ivor Callely

Question:

79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the views of young people aged between 14 and 20 that there are insufficient sporting and recreational facilities on the northside of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26568/01]

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

This Government has provided more funding towards the provision of sporting and recreational facilities than any other in the history of the State. In addition, the Government has promoted a policy of social inclusion and prioritisation of disadvantaged areas in the schemes through which this funding is provided.

Under the national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, grants are allocated towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities for voluntary and community organisations throughout the country. A comprehensive review of the programme was completed by my Department in December 1998 following which a new programme was launched in 1999.

In the three programmes completed since the review, i.e. 1999, 2000 and 2001, I have allocated over £100 million or €127 million to 1,800 projects throughout the country. In the three year period under the previous Government, 1995-97, an overall total of less than £19.4 million or €24.6 million was allocated by comparison.

Resulting from the review of the programme, clearly defined objectives and assessment criteria were drawn up for its operation, which identified the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities as a major priority.

Over £28.3 million or €35.9 million has been allocated to projects in the city and county of Dublin in the period since the review of the programme, i.e., 1999-2001, compared with less than £4.4 million or €5.6 million in the 1995-97 period.

By any measurement, the northside of Dublin city has benefited enormously from sports capital funding, especially in targeted disadvantaged areas. In 2001, a total of £11 million or €14 million has been allocated in sports capital funding to the city and county of Dublin to 103 projects. Of that amount, almost £6.7 million or €8.5 million was allocated to 61 projects in disadvantaged areas.

In 2001, a total of almost £4.3 million or €5.5 million was allocated in sports capital funding to 33 projects in the Dublin postal districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 on the northside of the city.

The sports capital programme for 2002 will be advertised shortly and it will be open to organisations in the areas in question to apply for funding under the programme.

The funding of the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, YPFSF, is under the auspices of the Department of Education and Science. This scheme is designed to assist in the development of strategies and initiatives in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The objective of the fund is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into these facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse. The target group for the fund are 10-21 year olds who are marginalised through a combination of risk factors relating to family background, environmental circumstances, educational disadvantage and involvement in crime and/or drugs.

Approximately £102 million or €129.5 million in funding this scheme is available over the life of the national development plan, of which approximately £26 million or €33 million has been allocated to date for the provision of youth orientated facilities. The type of projects and initiatives approved as part of the plans and strategies submitted to date include capital projects such as building, renovating or fitting out community centres, youth facilities and sports clubs so as to provide suitable accommodation for programmes and services geared for the most "at risk" young people in an area; and a number of purpose-built youth centres which will provide a focal point for youth activities in an area, particularly areas such as in north Dublin city, the north inner city, Ballymun, Finglas-Cabra and Dublin north east.

I feel that the details I have given clearly demonstrate the commitment of the Government to the provision of sport and recreation facilities, particularly for young people and the very considerable allocation of funding in place to ensure the availability of good quality facilities on the northside of Dublin city and in the country generally.