Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 2

Written Answers - Sports Capital Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has carried out an evaluation of the sporting and recreational requirements throughout the country with a view to improving the quality availability of such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5916/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has proposals for an integrated plan to provide sporting and recreational facilities evenly throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5921/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 197 together.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to complete a national audit of local sports facilities and to put in place a long-term strategic plan to ensure the development of such necessary facilities throughout the country. The process, which will lead to meeting that commitment, has commenced with a review of the existing sports capital programme under the Department's expenditure review programme. This will be followed by the preparation of a long-term strategy for the development of sporting facilities so that the substantial investment involved is directed in a targeted, effective and cost-efficient manner.

An inter-agency steering group will be set up to devise this long-term strategy for the development of sports facilities. This group will include members from a number of Government departments engaged in funding sport and recreational facilities. One of its tasks will be to consider how best to assess the future facility requirements for sport and recreation at all levels and how this information can be combined with the results from the proposed audit of existing facilities in order to effectively target future funding.

This Government and the previous Government have invested an unprecedented amount of funding to help clubs and organisations at national, regional and local level to provide a network of high quality facilities to meet their particular needs.

Since 1998, €213 million has been allocated to over 2,900 projects under the sports capital programme and over €57 million was made available in the last three years to provide new and refurbished pools under the local authority swimming pool programme.

All applications for funding under the sports capital programme are subject to an assessment process where each project is judged under various criteria including the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds, having regard to the range of existing facilities in each county. A detailed planning and consultation process exists for the swimming pool programme, also, to ensure a planned approach is taken to funding for these large facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total moneys allocated in 2000 in respect of sporting and recreational grants; the extent of the moneys available in 2003 for such ventures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5917/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Under the 2000 sports capital programme grants to the value of almost €45.5 million were allocated to 679 projects towards the development of sporting and recreational facilities.

I intend to advertise the 2003 sports capital programme and invite applications to it at the end of March. At that time the application forms and guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme will be available. The level of allocations under the 2003 programme will depend on the number of applications, the amount of funding requested and the available resources. The Abridged Estimates for my Department for 2003 include a provision of €60 million to meet existing commitments and those to be made in 2003.