Bernard Allen
Ceist:241 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will assure sports people that he is not neglecting participation in sport by laying too much emphasis on competitive sport. [26873/98]
Written Answers. - Sports Promotion.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:242 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will assure non-competitive sports people that their activities are not being relegated to second class status. [26874/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.
One of the stated strategic goals for my Department is to formulate and oversee the implementation of policies for the promotion and development of sport, and to encourage increased participation in sport and recreation, particularly by disadvantaged communities.
The establishment of a statutory sports council, dedicated exclusively to the advancement of sport at all levels, together with a more strategic approach to the use of resources available for sport, will further enhance the role of recreational sport. The Irish Sports Council Bill, 1998, provides that a specific function of the council will be to develop strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to co-ordinate their implementation by all bodies involved in promoting recreational sport and providing recreational facilities.
My Department is currently, in association with the Irish Sports Council, reviewing existing programmes and funding schemes for recreational sport, in order to ensure that we have a funding system which facilitates a co-ordinated, better structured and more effective delivery of recreational sport opportunities.
A new funding application format has already been introduced for national governing bodies of sport which incorporates planned provision for recreational sport, which is geared to encouraging and enabling these organisations to develop and promote initiatives and programmes in this crucial area of sport.
Other initiatives in the area of recreational sport include a project aimed at involving young people in recreational sport — Youth Sport Foyle — being piloted in the north-west and the sport for all leaders award scheme, a joint initiative between the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, was launched in Omagh today.