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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 5

Other Questions. - Sports Funding.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

58 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which funding for the Abbotstown Sports Centre is ring fenced for the development of community based sports and non-commercial recreation facilities, such as the North East Fingal Swimming Pool Project. [22514/02]

The 2003 Estimates provision for the relevant subhead is €8.4 million, which is the amount of money required to complete the National Aquatic Centre, which is on schedule for completion by the end of 2002 and to be in use early in 2003, to provide for ancillary professional fees and to provide funds to allow Campus Stadium Ireland Development Ltd. to administer the facility during that year. There is no excess provision of funds in this subhead available for any other developments. Under Subhead C3 – grants for the provision and renovation for swimming pools – a provision of €9 million exists to meet commitments under the local authority swimming pool programme. In addition Subhead C1 – grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities – includes a provision of €60 million to meet commitments under the sports capital programme.

I presume the Minister is aware that support for the aquatic centre is far higher than support for Sports Campus Ireland, the national stadium proposed for this location. Will he acknowledge that it is important to maintain that support for the aquatic centre? The North East Fingal Swimming Pool Project is ideally placed to avail of such a facility. Is there a strong provision in the terms of the management of the aquatic centre to allow off-peak use of the 50 metre pool for local groups as well as our elite athletes and those from the regions? Is local access paramount? Are there regulations or guidelines which will ensure that even within the existing funding constraints?

Under the terms of the lease for the facility the operating company will provide 1,300 hours per annum free of charge for the development of international and national competitions as well as training for elite swimmers. In addition the company will operate a pricing policy which will facilitate access for less privileged sections of the community. With these exceptions it is intended that the National Aquatic Centre will operate on a commercial basis.

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