Vol. 544 No. 1
109 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress which has been made regarding his commitment to the appointment of a sports development councillor in every county by the end of 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/01]
127 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of sports partnerships established to date; the financial allocation received by each; his plans to extend the partnerships to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27893/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 127 together.
The Irish Sports Council is currently piloting the new concept of local sports partnerships – LSPs. Eight LSPs were selected, after open competition, for the pilot scheme and these are located in Clare, Donegal, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary North. They receive an annual allocation of £90,000 or €114,276 from the Sports Council. Four other areas – Cork, Limerick, Meath and Waterford – are currently involved in an extensive development process with a view to joining the pilot programme in 2002. It is intended to have completed an evaluation of the pilot by mid 2003 and the proven effectiveness of the concept will determine the final shape and structure of the concept for extension to other areas from end 2003. The aims of this partnership initiative, which is new to Irish sport and untested, are to create greater opportunities for participation by all in sport and to ensure that resources are co-ordinated and used to their best efforts at a local level.
