Jim O'Keeffe
Question:117 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals to encour age the development of sports facilities in rural Ireland. [19052/02]
Written Answers. - Sports Facilities.
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national levels throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities.
Since 1998, €213.2 million has been allocated under the sports capital programme to more than 2,900 deserving projects in villages, towns and parishes all over the country.
As the Deputy will be aware, the CLÁR programme for rural development was announced by the Government in 2001. Under the 2002 sports capital programme, applicants located in CLÁR areas were designated specifically as disadvantaged and given a higher priority in the assessment process. A total of more than €5.1 million was allocated under the 2002 programme to projects located in CLÁR areas, of which €866,500 was contributed by the Department of Agriculture and Food out of CLÁR funding.
In addition to the funds available under the sports capital programme, section 41 of the Finance Act, 2002, introduced a new scheme to provide tax relief for approved sports bodies on donations made to them for the funding of sports capital projects. This scheme will provide a welcome boost to sporting bodies in raising funds for such projects.
Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is also administered by my Department, grants of up to €3,809,214 are available towards both the refurbishment of existing pools and the provision of new pools throughout the country, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room. A total of €57.14 million is available in funding under the programme.
My Department is currently drawing up a new long-term strategic plan for the provision of sports facilities throughout the country. A national audit of local sports facilities will also be carried out. This plan will help me to identify those areas in which facilities are most required in the future, given the massive investment in facilities which this and the previous Government have undertaken since 1997.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 83.