Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 8

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.

Johnny Fox

Ceist:

39 Mr. J. Fox asked the Minister for Education the amount of money as a direct percentage of the total national lottery funding that has been spent directly on new sports facilities, particularly in the youth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [238/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Grant assistance is provided for sport and recreation facilities by my Department under the recreational facilities scheme and under the major sports capital programme. The total allocation provided for the recreational facilities scheme since the introduction of the national lottery in 1988 amounts to £8.9 million, which includes £3 million from Exchequer funds provided in the 1994 budget. The total amount allocated specifically to youth facilities amounts to £517,000 or 5.8 per cent of total available under this scheme.

A total of 81 applications specifically in respect of youth facilities were received by my Department earlier this year in response to the advertisement seeking applications under the scheme. Grants totalling £227,000 were allocated to 39 projects which represents 48 per cent of the applications received.

The projects assisted include the provision, refurbishment and improvement of scout dens, youth clubs and other youth facilites.

Under the major sport facilities programme up to 100 major sports projects have been assisted including swimming pools, sports centres, community centres, playing pitches, athletic racks and a wide variety of other sport and recreation facilities.

These projects include new facilites, extensions and refurbishment of existing facilities. Total expenditure under this scheme from 1988 to end of 1994 will be £23 million. It is not possible to indicate the specific amount spent on new facilities in the youth area, as requested by the Deputy. It is a condition for the payment of grants under this programme that all facilities be accessible to the community including youths groups.

I would also point out to the Deputy that my Department receives separate funding for the provision of youth services. A total of £12 million is being provided for this service in 1994 and the main schemes involve grants to national youth organisations, grants for projects to assist disadvantaged youth, grants for youth information centres and youth exchange programmes. The total amount allocated for these youth services from 1987 to 1993 £62.8 million.