Vol. 561 No. 2
117 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the comprehensive survey of the availability of recreational facilities in disadvantaged areas, which was promised in An Agreed Programme for Government, will begin; the person by whom the survey will be undertaken; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3678/03]
With regard to the commitment in the programme for Government, officials in my Department have been in discussion with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism on how best to carry out the survey of the availability of recreation facilities in disadvantaged areas.
In this context, the Deputy should note that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has commenced work on drawing up a new long-term strategic plan for the provision of sports facilities throughout the country and as part of the process, a national audit of local sports facilities will be carried out. The Deputy may also wish to note that an inter-agency steering group is to be established to oversee the national audit of local sports facilities and its composition has recently been agreed.
This group will be chaired by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and will include representatives from my Department as well as the Departments of Education and Science and the Environment and Local Government, the Irish Sports Council and some local authorities.
