Written Answers. - Social Inclusion Policies.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
125
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if, in regard to comments made in his speech to the 2001 Sports Development Conference on 2 November, he plans to bring forward specific proposals for the greater use of sport to promote social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27869/01]
In the speech to which the Deputy refers, I referred to the Government's promotion of social inclusion policies and the vital role that sport plays in this regard. I went on to state my belief that if sport is to develop within Ireland, it must be fostered at local level within all communities and I praised the role of the thousands of volunteers involved.
The Government has already established a number of ways in which sport promotes social inclusion. Under the national lottery funded sports capital programme, administered by my Department, grants are provided to sports clubs and voluntary community organisations for the provision of sports and recreational facilities. Some of the aims and objectives of the programme are: to assist voluntary and community organisations with the development of appropriate facilities in appropriate locations that will maximise use in terms of participation in sport and recreation; to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities; and to encourage the multi-purpose use of facilities at national, regional and community level by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport.
All applications received under the sports capital programme are treated on their merits with the highest priority being afforded to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation, particularly for young people. In 2001 grants totalling £44.2 million or €56.2 million were allocated to 703 projects under the programme. Out of this total almost £25.5 million or €32.3 million was allocated to 382 projects in designated disadvantaged areas.
The Young People's Facilities and Services Fund was established in 1998, in the context of the Government's national drugs strategy, to assist in the development of preventative strategies and initiatives in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas 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 ten to 21 year olds who are marginalised through a combination of risk factors relating to family background, environmental circumstances, educational disadvantage, involvement in crime and/or drugs.
An Exchequer contribution of over £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 the following: 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 those areas such as Tallaght, Ballymun, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown, where there is a dearth of dedicated youth facilities.
In addition, the designated areas scheme is designed to help combat the problems of drug abuse, crime and social exclusion, particularly among young people in areas of social and economic disadvantage. The Sports Council allocated a budget of almost £813,000 or €1,032,297 for selected national governing bodies of sport for a three year period to help the selected governing bodies to set up programmes aimed at helping young people at risk to overcome the isolating effects of social exclusion in designated areas.
Finally, in the speech referred to by the Deputy I specifically mentioned the local sports partnerships initiative which the Irish Sports Council is currently piloting. Eight were selected, after open competition, for the pilot scheme and these are located in Clare, Donegal, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Sligo and north Tipperary. 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 the end of 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.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 80.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 109.
