The first item on the agenda is a briefing on the European Council meeting which will take place in Brussels tomorrow, 10 May, which will be attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the Minister and his officials, Ms Mary Nash, principal officer, arts division, Mr. Conor O'Rahilly, principal officer, heritage division, and Ms Sabina O'Donnell, assistant principal officer, arts division. The Minister will be obliged to leave at 11 a.m. This is our first meeting with him and I look forward to continued constructive dialogue on EU matters in the coming months. Consideration of developments at the European Council forms an important aspect of the work of the committees and is a key factor in strengthening Oireachtas oversight of EU matters. Members have been provided with a copy of a comprehensive opening statement by the Department which covers all of the agenda items and provides a general overview. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement.
Forthcoming Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council: Discussion with Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
This is my first time to appear before the joint committee to discuss matters relating to my participation at the Council of Ministers for culture, particularly in the meeting which will take place in Brussels tomorrow. I welcome the opportunity and anticipate that this is the first of a number of appearances, particularly in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in the first half of next year. There are two main issues on the Council agenda for discussion tomorrow and both relate to negotiations on the arrangements for future programmes in the period from 2014 to 2020. There are proposals to continue the Europe for Citizens Programme and to establish the Creative Europe Programme.
The proposals to continue the Europe for Citizens programme in the period 2014 to 2020 are very similar to those relating to the current programme which has been operating since 2007. The aims of the programme are to bridge the gap between citizens and the European project; to bring the European Union closer to citizens at local level; to facilitate discussion on European issues and developments; to assist in the organisation of exchanges and co-operation between citizens in EU countries with a view to contributing to a sense of affinity with common European ideals; and generally to encourage the process of European integration. The European Commission proposes a programme for the period 2014 to 2020 which builds on the existing one. It aims to enhance capacity for civic participation at Union level and contribute to increasing awareness and understanding of the European Union.
The Commission's proposals for the multi-annual financial framework for the period 2014 to 2020 anticipate that €229 million will be allocated for the Europe for Citizens Programme. This is an increase of €14 million on the allocation for the previous programme. The proposed programme consists of two strands: remembrance and European citizenship; and democratic engagement and civic participation. These strands will support organisations of general European interest, transnational partnerships and networks which stimulate citizens' interactions on Union matters. In addition, they will support organisations promoting debate and activities on European values and history. Like the existing programme, it will be implemented through operating and action grants following open calls for proposals, as well as through service contracts based on calls for tender.
In order to achieve its objectives, the programme will finance various actions, implemented on a transnational level or with a clear European dimension. Examples could include support for citizens' meetings; town twinning projects; initiatives to raise awareness of EU institutions and their functions; support for organisations of a general European interest; and information and advice structures in member states. Ireland has received approximately €400,000 under these strands in the current programme. Projects involving the Institute of International and European Affairs, the Centre for Independent Living and the Special Olympics have benefited. Town twinning projects in Listowel, Sligo, Galway and Cork have also received funding.
The Creative Europe Programme is the proposed new framework for the cultural and creative sectors for the period 2014 to 2020. There is significant misunderstanding of the programme. Many assume it is already up and running, but it will not be until 2014. More importantly, it is still under negotiation at EU level, as is the question of its financing. The programme proposes to bring together the current culture, MEDIA and MEDIA Mundus programmes and create an entirely new facility to improve access to finance. These programmes fund cultural and audiovisual cross-national initiatives. The programme is designed to complement other EU funding programmes by specifically targeting the needs of the cultural and creative sectors which aim to operate beyond national borders. It will also have a strong link with the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. It is hoped the new programme will be a simple, easily recognisable and accessible gateway for European cultural and creative professionals to access funds and that it will offer scope for international activities within and outside the European Union.
The proposed programme consists of three strands: a cross-sectoral strand for all cultural and creative sectors, including a financial facility and support for transnational policy co-operation and innovative actions; a culture strand addressed to the cultural and creative sectors; and a MEDIA strand addressed to the audiovisual sector. The indicative budgetary allocation will be 15% for the cross-sectoral strand, 30% for the culture strand and 55% for the MEDIA strand. The programme's general objectives will be to safeguard and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity, and strengthen the competitiveness of the sector, thus contributing to the EU 2020 strategy. The programme builds on the considerable number of simplifications introduced for the management of the current culture and MEDIA programmes. In general greater use will be made of flat rates. There will be more grant decisions and framework partnership agreements, electronic application and reporting of all actions, and an electronic portal to reduce paperwork for applicants and beneficiaries. The financial facility will lead to improved use of EU funds through the financial leverage it will generate, combined with its re-use of revolving funds, which will offer the Commission greater efficiency than traditional grants. The establishment of a single programme committee will also contribute to more cost-effective and lean management of the programme, not only via savings in implementation costs but also through more effectiveness resulting from stronger synergies among relevant policies and sectors. The overall budget proposed under the multi-annual financial framework for the programme amounts to €1.8 billion, a 37% increase on current spending levels.
Also to be confirmed at the Council is the designation of Donostia-San Sebastián in Spain and Wroclaw in Poland as European Capitals of Culture for 2016.
The Europeana project is one of the most prestigious initiatives endorsed by the European Commission. Europeana is an Internet portal acting as a single access point to millions of books, paintings, films, museum objects and archival records that have been digitised throughout Europe. The material comes from European cultural and scientific institutions. Europeana holds 20 million items from 1,500 institutions in 32 countries, of which almost one million are Irish. It offers arts and cultural institutions the opportunity to reach out to more users, increase their web traffic, enhance their users' experience and build new partnerships. Through Europeana, people can discover texts, images and audiovisual material, regardless of the country or institution in which they are held. Along with other European ministers for culture, I have been invited by the Vice President of the European Commission, Ms Neelie Kroes, and the Danish Presidency to attend an event in Brussels this evening to raise awareness of Europeana. Incidentally, Ms Kroes is also Commissioner for Audiovisual Affairs which is an extremely important portfolio for Ireland. The timing of the event has been chosen to coincide with the European Council of Culture Ministers which I will attend tomorrow. Today is also Europe Day.
As part of this evening's event I have been invited to select a favourite Irish item from Europeana and present it to the gathered ministers for culture. I selected an item that in my view is among the most historically significant of all the documents on Europeana. The item I have selected is the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The treaty has been made available to Europeana by the National Archives of Ireland, where it resides. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 was concluded between representatives of the Government of Great Britain and of Irish Nationalists who wished to establish an independent Irish nation. Its inclusion in Europeana is particularly apt. It is a reminder that all nations making up the European Union are sovereign and have their own unique origins in different times and under varied circumstances. All nations now participate as full and equal members in the community of nations that is Europe, with shared aspirations for the future. The treaty document is potent evidence of the primacy of dialogue and consensus as a means of reconciling and accommodating the aspirations of the disparate nations that comprise the European family.
All our national cultural institutions will continue to add content to Europeana. In 2012, particular emphasis is being placed on increasing the amount of Irish audio and audio-visual material and I am hoping for new input from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Irish Film Board during the remainder of this year. The web address is europeana.eu. The event will be a fitting reminder of the true significance of our European and Irish heritage. I thank members of the committee for their attention.
I thank the Minister for taking the time to address the committee. I assume he has identified Ireland's cultural priorities for next year's EU Presidency. If not, will he come back to consult the joint committee on those?
I also welcome the Minister and thank him for his time and his contribution to the meeting. Like Deputy Nash, I look forward to regular visits by him in the future.
What are the Minister's cultural priorities for the EU Presidency in 2013? Does any substantial work need to be done on the Culture Council in 2013? It sounds to me that it does not, but if major work remains to be done, how can the committee support the Minister in that? Is there a plan for the European ministers for culture to come to Ireland during the Presidency? What will be the emphasis of the culture programme for the Presidency?
The Minister said the Europe for Citizens Programme is more or less the same as before. One of the aims of the programme is to bring Europe closer to the citizens at local level. Are there any proposals to make more use of local authorities in this regard? We all know how far Europe is from the citizens. It would be good to use existing local facilities, especially with regard to culture. Europe is far away from local government. It is rarely discussed, except with regard to grant funding. The Minister said he will increase funding for audio-visual material. Does this refer to material in the Irish language or simply material from Ireland?
I welcome the Minister and commend him on the work he is doing in his Department, especially in arts and heritage. He will know of the many arts, culture and heritage centres throughout the country. They are all struggling to stay open in the current economic climate. Will the EU Presidency enable the Minister to channel additional funds to keep these places open? Hard working committees are at their wits' end at present.
Has the Department any plans to link with The Gathering? I know it is a tourism initiative but the two could be linked.
The priorities for our Presidency will be set during the Cyprus Presidency, but I have my own priorities. The first will be to translate the two programmes I mentioned, the citizens programme and the creative Europe programme, into reality. As someone who has applied for grant aid for different projects, as Senator O'Sullivan will know, I would say European programmes were fairly distant from the Irish people. We did quite well pro rata but we could have done better in previous programmes. The Culture Fund, for example, provided €400 million between 2007 and 2013, of which we got €2.2 million. The fund was available to 37 countries, member states and contiguous countries. We did better from the Media Programme because we have a very good official on the media desk, Ms Siobhán O’Donoghue, who has facilitated Irish production groups. We got €8.4 million from the €750 million in that programme. I believe there is more scope for us in that area. My main priority will be to translate and transmit existing European programmes of which enough use may not have been made in the past and to ensure people understand them and know how to apply for them. If Irish applicants need partners in other countries, I will source those partnerships for them. It will take work but it is worth doing. Now that national funding is to be reduced for the next three years, we must get the funding elsewhere, and the framework is in place for that.
We may get the money from business and philanthropy. I will be launching a small programme on that next week. My Department and the Arts Council will be doing a small programme on philanthropy. It will be a small pilot programme intended to encourage people and to attract more philanthropy. We must also look at Europe and the funding that is available.
Considerable funding was provided by the Government and people may not have bothered applying for European funding. Some would say it was inaccessible but there was also a feeling we did not need it. Now we will have to apply for it. Those will be the two main priorities.
At the micro-level there is a project of my own. I have a major event planned for Dublin Castle during the EU Presidency. It will show the influence of the Wild Geese in Europe. A former student of Senator O'Sullivan and mine, Dr. Declan Downey of UCD, is an expert in this area. He is setting up this event and is bringing together experts from all over Europe. Not alone will it show the influence of the Wild Geese in the political, military, medical, business and commercial spheres but also of Irish monasticism in Europe. For too long we have ignored the work of Irish monks and how they saved western civilisation. That will be a huge personal priority for me. The contribution of our religious to Europe has not been fully recognised. I am working on that at present.
There are several other priorities. A member mentioned the involvement of local councillors. I have met local authority arts officers on a number of occasions. They are very important. The Arts Council allocates Government funding at national level but local arts officers are working with local groups that are not funded directly by the Arts Council and are creating content in every part of this country and organising and supporting local events with small sums of money. Local authorities play an important role in this country in the promotion of the arts. I work with them as much as possible. In the context of Europe it is important that they are involved in accessing funding for various organisations at local level. I have personal experience of town twinning. In Listowel, the town Senator Ned O'Sullivan and I come from, there is an active town twinning group. The town is twinned with Downpatrick. On a number of occasions the group has organised various events to which it has attracted people from all over Europe to both Listowel and Downpatrick. It is due to the leadership of one woman, Cara Trant, in Listowel who identified the potential.
Our culture is one of our strong points. We have much to offer. During the Presidency I want to ensure that we hang out our brightest colours. We will also get an opportunity for an exhibition in Brussels. As part of the Presidency every year one gets an opportunity to put forward one's best exhibits. We are planning that at the moment as well. There is a huge space in Europe that can show this country at its best. It is an exciting time. I have my priorities. The Department will set its own priorities and the Government will as well. I expect culture to be very much part of the EU Presidency. The national cultural institutions such as The Abbey will get their opportunity to participate as well and to play a role in the European Presidency. I will contact all the national cultural institutions - I will contact the committee shortly as well - to ask what proposals The Abbey Theatre or the National Library will come up with for the Presidency. It is very important that our national cultural institutions look at just one aspect of Europe and during our Presidency to exhibit or perform visually or through the performing arts some event to coincide with the Presidency. There are exciting times ahead. I would like to return to the committee again on the matter, in particular to hear the ideas of members. It is a great opportunity for us. We will not hold the Presidency again for some time because of enlargement. Therefore, we must make the most out of the Presidency. We must also repair damage to our reputation in Europe. This is an ideal opportunity to do that.
I have one final question for the Minister on the culture Council. Is it doing any substantial work in terms of policy during our Presidency?
It will be very important because Creative Europe will be finalised.
Is it finalising in 2013?
Yes, it is only being developed at the moment. We must get that right and ensure it is as accessible as possible for an Irish audience and events for various groups in this country. It is important to make it accessible to as many organisations as possible. It is critically important that people would understand it and know how to apply for it. They will have to get partners to work on it ahead of the programme coming into being.
What about Deputy Corcoran Kennedy's questions on The Gathering?
The Gathering will be announced this week. It is an initiative by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland. The line Minister responsible is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. Culture will play an important part in The Gathering because most of the events to which people will come are festivals and various other events that will be put on for them by communities, nationally, regionally and locally. The events will all be based on some expression of our culture. Therefore, culture will play a key role in The Gathering. The national cultural institutions must play an important role but there will also be an obligation on those people who are funded by the Arts Council to play an important role in The Gathering. Culture and its expression will form an important part of The Gathering. Our cultural heritage, built heritage and natural heritage will be the ingredients for The Gathering. People will be encouraged to come to this country to experience them.
The committee has sent correspondence to the Minister about a meeting on the Moore Street issue, which relates to remembrance to which the Minister referred this morning. The letter is with the Department and I would be obliged if the Minister could respond to the committee in due course.
I am pleased the Chairman brought the matter to my attention. I would be delighted to come before the committee as soon as possible to explain about Moore Street. My brief is to adjudicate on the national monument. Planning has already been granted by An Bord Pleanála. It went through Dublin City Council on the bigger site. What I have to do is examine the proposal on the national monument – Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street - and decide whether it is appropriate. That is my brief. I would be delighted to come before the committee to explain my responsibility in the matter in the context of the overall project.
The letter refers to a specific meeting between the Minister, a group and the committee. It does not need to take place in the formal environment of the committee room but I hope it could take place in the next couple of weeks.
I will ensure that will happen.
I thank the Minister and his officials for attending and briefing the committee. I wish him well with the events in Brussels in the coming days.
The meeting is now resumed. We will have a briefing on the sports Council meeting which will take place in Brussels tomorrow, 10 May. It will be attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ring.
On behalf of the committee I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring. He is accompanied by Ms Carol O'Reilly, assistant principal officer in the sports policy unit. I advise members that the Minister of State will be obliged to leave by 11.30 a.m. This is our first meeting with him. I look forward to continued constructive dialogue on EU matters in the coming months. Consideration of developments at EU Council meetings is an important aspect of the work of the committee and is a key factor in strengthening Oireachtas oversight of EU matters. Members have been provided with a comprehensive opening statement by the Department covering all of the agenda items and giving a general overview. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or persons outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call on the Minister of State to make his opening statement.
I am delighted to be here. I thank the joint committee for the opportunity to brief it ahead of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council meeting tomorrow. As the committee is aware, under the Lisbon treaty, the European Union now has powers to act in the field of sport for the first time. While sports policy remains a matter for member states this new competence gives the European Commission and the member states the opportunity to work more closely together to address the items of common interest. The Lisbon treaty gives the European Commission the option of developing a specific EU sports programme, supported by a budget. It also provides it with the opportunity to speak with one voice at international level, particularly in areas such as the fight against doping.
The EU work plan on sport, agreed by sports Ministers in May last year, sets out a number of priorities for EU action in the field of sport during the coming three to four years. Six expert groups were established to progress this work and Ireland is represented on each of them. At a practical level, EU sports Ministers now meet in a formal context as part of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Ministers Council meetings. These meetings provide a forum to adopt political statements on priorities for EU action and react to topical issues in the field of sport. In advance of tomorrow's Council meeting I have also been invited to attend the high-level EU structured dialogue on sport. This recently established process brings together leading representatives of EU public authorities and the sports movement with the aim of exchanging views on sport issues in the European Union.
The EU work plan on sport highlights the fight against doping as a priority theme. This is also a key priority for the current Danish Presidency. At tomorrow's meeting the Council will adopt conclusions on combating doping in recreational sport and there will be a policy debate on the future challenges in the fight against doping in sport.
The Irish Sports Council administers the Irish sport anti-doping programme which is recognised internationally as an outstanding model of its type. The ultimate aim of the programme is to ensure there is no abuse of drugs in sport in Ireland. This is essential to maintain the ethical reputation of Irish sport at home and internationally. As Minister of State with responsibility for sport, I fully endorse the Irish Sports Council's work in combating doping and recognise its very significant contribution to sport in Ireland. It is vital that sport is protected against the ongoing threat of doping, which runs contrary to the fundamental principles of honesty and fair play. This is particularly relevant in this Olympic year when the eyes of the world will be on elite sports people. The Irish Sports Council strives to ensure the anti-doping programme conforms to the highest international standards.
Ireland is represented on the EU expert group on anti-doping by Dr. Una May, head of the Irish Sports Council's anti-doping unit. To date, the work of this group has focused on finalising a proposal for a first EU contribution to the revision of the world anti-doping code. The World Anti-Doping Agency has launched a code revision process with a view to adopting a revised code at the fourth World Conference on Doping in Sport next year. The world anti-doping code provides the basic framework for harmonised anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sports organisations and among public authorities. The text prepared by the expert group has been adopted by the EU Council and sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency by the Danish Presidency.
The conclusions to be adopted at tomorrow's meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will extend the mandate of the EU expert group on anti-doping to include doping in recreational sport. I refer, for example, to that which takes place in environments such as fitness centres. The expert group will be asked to establish best practice in the fight against doping in recreational sport in EU member states and present by the end of 2013 a set of recommendations on combating doping in recreational sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency and national anti-doping organisations such as the Irish Sports Council are operating very successfully in the fight against doping in elite sports. It is important to recognise that doping in recreational sport is a wider issue which is primarily a public health concern and also an issue of law enforcement. In this context, it is important to keep the fight against doping in elite sports organisationally separate from the wider public health issue in recreational sports.
One of the main challenges for the European Union and its member states in future anti-doping work relates to the control of supply and access to doping substances. There is already co-operation and co-ordination at national level between the various public bodies involved in this area such as at medicines enforcement level and among customs, police and anti-doping personnel. I would like this to be replicated at EU level.
I look forward to engaging with my EU colleagues on this issue and other challenges in sport at both national and European level in preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the European Council next year. The focus of my Department during the Presidency will be on advancing the priorities set out in the EU work plan on sport and building on the work being done by the expert groups. We expect to see the results of the work of some of the expert groups during the Irish Presidency.
Members may be interested to note that the education agenda of the Council which is taking place on Friday morning will include the Erasmus for All programme, the proposed new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. While the Department of Education and Skills is taking the lead in the Council negotiations on the programme, it is keeping a close eye on its sports element. We are also evaluating the potential for Irish sports organisations to benefit from the programme once it has been adopted.
I will be more than happy to answer questions on these issues from members and, as a follow-up, provide the committee with a report on the Council meeting in due course.
We will bank questions from members. The first three contributors will be Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Senator Cáit Keane and Deputy Sandra McLellan.
I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. In the context of the EU work plan on sport, is there any effort being made across the European Union to encourage people to participate in sport on a recreational rather than a competitive basis? What puts some youngsters off sport is the emphasis on winning. However, young people can benefit from actively participating in sport. Not everyone is competitive and we are losing many young people who should be physically active and participating in sport, particularly as it would be good for them from a health point of view. We are increasingly aware of the epidemic of obesity. In that context, it would be marvellous if a strategy to encourage participation in sport, particularly among young people, for the sake of participation rather than winning, could be put in place.
I welcome the Minister of State. This is the first time the European Union has had competency to deal with sports issues. Treaties are usually viewed in terms of what they can do for Ireland. The Lisbon treaty did a great deal for this country and I welcome the fact that sport which can also do much for Ireland is included in the competencies relating thereto. The Minister of State did not refer to the six areas on which the relevant expert groups will concentrate under the work plan on sport. Tomorrow's meeting of the Council will focus more on issues relating to anti-doping, which are extremely important. Will the Minister of State indicate when he expects the anti-doping programme to be adopted?
I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. Given that one of the main difficulties faced by sports organisations throughout the country relates to the control and supply of doping substances, is there any co-ordination at regional level among such organisations and schools in the context of educating young people on the dangers surrounding such substances? The Minister of State has indicated that the Council will adopt the conclusions of the expert group on anti-doping on doping in recreational sports. How will these conclusions be enforced, particularly in view of the fact that there are fitness and recreational centres in almost every county?
I presume we are referring to the doping of human beings, or are we also discussing that which takes place in the bloodstock industry, of which there is plenty?
It relates to the doping of human beings. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy has referred to the expert groups which have been established, one or which will be focusing on sport, health and participation. It will be considering the very matter to which the Deputy refers, namely, how to encourage people to become involved in sport. The local sports partnerships are examining such ways and means. On Sunday last 3,000 participants took part in the west of Ireland women's mini-marathon sponsored by the Western People and the Mayo Sports Partnership. It was marvellous to see so many women take part in that event. When I became Minister of State, one of the priorities I set for myself was to try to get more women involved in sport. If this happens, young people will also become involved because they will be inspired by their parents. I accept that it is not always easy for some women to become involved and that is where events organised by the local sports partnerships come into play.
The expert group to which I refer is examining ways to encourage more people to become involved in sport, particularly in the light of the health issues the Deputy mentioned. I agree with her that it is not about winning but about taking part. What we want to do is encourage people to become involved in sport. I accept that winning is nice, but my priority is to deal with the large percentage who do not participate in sport. The case I made for getting funding for my Department was that the more funding that goes to sport, the fewer the number having to use the health services. The expert group will be reporting back on this and I may be dealing with this during our EU Presidency term.
Anti-doping is a difficult area to monitor and is not going to be easy. It is not really a matter for the sporting organisations but one for education, health and policing. The supply of and demand for drugs coming into the country is also an issue. The expert group is led by Dr. Una May, an expert in the field and a leading anti-doping campaigner in Europe. She will have much to offer on how we can deal with it. The Olympics will be high profile. We want to ensure the competition is fair and enhancement drugs are not used. Testing must be done to the best quality and we will catch these people out. At a recent meeting in Brussels there was much concern about doping in sports as it gives competitors an unfair advantage. Cheating is cheating. It will be discussed again tomorrow and there will be reports coming back to us on this. It is a complicated subject and Europe is concerned about it. That is why this expert group has been established. We want to ensure nobody is enhancing their sporting performance with drugs.
I hope the London Olympics will be fair, equal and drugs free. There is nothing worse than seeing someone winning a gold medal only to have it taken off them six months down the road. That is not good for sport, is not a good example for young people and not what we want in sport.
I welcome the Minister of State to the committee. When will the expert group be reporting to him? Over the weekend, 2,200 people participated in a 16 km cycle in Sligo. It is vital that young people are shown good examples of sporting participation so as to avoid childhood obesity.
The Minister of State referred to drug-free sports and it is regrettable that some athletes choose to cheat. How does the Department work with sporting organisations in raising the profile of sports participation? It does not need to be just competitive games. People can take up a sport such as jogging or cycling just for the participation. It is important local authorities are given the assistance and funding to provide sporting facilities for young people. Over recent years, funding in my area has given us additional walks and outdoor fitness equipment. Many people have reported to me that outdoor fitness equipment is fantastic as they do not have to go to a gym and can do it outdoors. The Minister of State has been enthusiastic about promoting sports participation and ensuring more facilities are made available.
These expert groups will be reporting back at different times. Tomorrow, it will address recreational drugs. The report on participation in sport will be ready by the middle of 2013. When any of these expert groups reports back to me, I will send a copy on to the committee. I would have no problem in discussing these reports with the committee if it so wishes. During our term of the EU Presidency next year, some of these issues will arise. Tomorrow we will have a clearer picture as to what will happen with that.
Participation in sport is important. Many local authorities sent in applications for sports equipment funding to the Department but also many of them did not. The provision of sports equipment was done through departmental, not national lottery, funding. Outdoor gyms are used by the young and not so young. They have the advantage of having no costs for people. We have to be conscious of the economic situation. Access to sport and sporting facilities must be made easier for people. I am always telling national sporting organisations to ensure everyone, particularly those from disadvantaged areas, has an opportunity to get tickets for events or participate in a sport. We do not want to exclude anyone from a sport because of money.
The Minister said some local authorities did not apply for funding for outdoor gym equipment. Is there still funding available for which they could apply?
No, but every local authority that made an application got funding. The criteria, however, was very simple: the land on which the outdoor gym would be placed had to be in the ownership of the local authority. Some local authorities sent applications but could not prove ownership or were going to locate a gym in commonage. As I have to protect the taxpayers' interests, we had to turn down these applications.
With regard to the swimming pool initiative, some applications did not qualify because of timeframes and so forth. They will be announced today. Anybody in that category who made an application got funding.
The Minister of State mentioned the initiative relating to swimming pools all over the country. Only last Friday it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm from staff and visitors in three pools in my constituency when I accompanied the Minister of State. I acknowledge his work and that of his officials. There is much interest in the capital programme, although this may not be strictly relevant to this topic. As public representatives, we are lobbied on this around the country. What is the updated timeframe?
It is simple. The criteria have been set and the application forms are in place. The advertising has been placed in national and some local media. Online applicants have until 1 June to make that application, with the deadline of 9 May or 11 May for a hard copy application. It will have to happen this week. I should make it clear that the last round was over €50 million but the value of this round is only €30 million as we are in very difficult times. I hope we will get value for the money. I was told last week by my officials that in the 2008 round of sports capital funding - the last occasion - there were 600 applications online. In the first week of applications to the Department this time around, there were 1,600 instances of intentions to apply online, which shows the demand. We should keep down expectations as it will not be possible to grant aid every project. It will be very difficult for the officials making the final decisions and recommendations to me.
The criteria mention CLÁR and disadvantaged areas, and I have reduced the local contribution in one case from 20% to 10% and in another case from 10% to 5%. The priority will be for shared facilities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. We must consider the issue, although it will not be easy to satisfy every county, club and organisation. We are lucky because there is much positivity in this country, with people volunteering and working on behalf of their communities. They work with the GAA and organisations dealing with soccer, rugby, athletics, etc. They ask for nothing from the State except a small bit of support to help with the facilities. We are lucky that in these serious economic times, we have so many people prepared to give of their time. We do not thank them enough but on behalf of the Government I thank the volunteers at every opportunity. Nothing would happen without these people.
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, for briefing us on his activities over the next couple of days in Brussels. He is very generous with his time. I also thank the officials for their attendance. I wish them well on what we hope will be a successful trip to Brussels.
There will be no joint committee meeting next week as the select committee will meet on Tuesday, 15 May, to deal with Committee Stage of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicles Roadworthiness) Bill 2012.