Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

82 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the Scouting Ireland Castle Saunderson project to provide a premier outdoor pursuit and training camp; his views on whether this is a truly cross-Border project for all the youth of Ireland; if he has visited this site; if not if he will make every effort to do so soon. [22305/03]

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

The only possible suitable funding for this project directly available from my Department is under the sports capital programme, which allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Funding under the programme is available towards capital development of sports facilities and purchase of non-personal sports equipment only. As such it could potentially only be used as a means to fund any sports related elements of the development.

I have recently announced all allocations under the 2003 sports capital programme. Any application for funding under the 2004 sports capital programme would have to considered based on its merit following assessment, in accordance with the published guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. It would be open to Scouting Ireland to apply for funding for any sporting element of the project under a future round of the sports capital programme.

The Deputy might also note that up to €55 million has been made available in grant aid from the European regional development fund to support investment in tourism product over the period 2000 to 2006 through the tourism product development scheme. The core objective of the scheme is to improve the spatial spread of tourism in Ireland. This will be done by helping less developed tourism areas realise their potential in stimulating new centres of strong tourism growth. It also seeks to promote the better management of the relationship between tourism and the environment with a particular focus on established tourism areas and, generally, to stimulate the industry to be a positive player in the management of resources and the environment. The scheme is administered by Fáilte Ireland and decisions in respect of individual grant applications is a matter solely for independent management boards set up for this purpose.

I have no plans to visit the site but I will consider such a visit when next I am in the area.

Question No. 83 answered with Question No. 73.