Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
96 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the allocation provided to the sports budget in his Department for 2005; the place to which this money will be targeted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31424/04]
View answerThe abridged version of the Estimates for public services and the summary public capital programme for 2005, which were published on 18 November, provide for a 17% increase in the sports budget of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, bringing the available finances to €130.7 million. Some €68.8 million will be provided as a result of the extension for another four years of the horse and greyhound fund. The funding will be targeted at the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium, the funding of the Irish Sports Council and a number of new initiatives which will begin next year. A nationwide GAA development strategy will concentrate on hurling and camogie, the development of Gaelic games in Dublin and programmes to attract women into sport. Capital grants will be provided for sports facilities under the sports capital programme and the local authority swimming pools programme will be supported. I will bring proposals to the Government soon for the development on a phased basis of a sports campus at Abbotstown.
