Vol. 504 No. 3
30 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if all vocational education committees have been advised of their allocation for 1999 for funding under the scheme of assistance for youth and sport; if not, when the committees will be advised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11766/99]
The overall objective purpose of the youth and sport grant scheme operated by the vocational education committees with financial assistance from my Department is to promote participation in sport and youth activities at local and county level, especially among disadvantaged groups and young people generally within the VEC areas. The scheme is currently being reviewed in my Department with particular regard to its overall objective and how this can be best achieved. The VEC sector has already been consulted and the review is expected to be completed shortly.
The recommendations arising from the review will be considered in framing appropriate initiatives to assist the vocational education committees in the development of sport at local level. I expect that, before the end of next month, invitations for proposals for 1999, with new guidelines, will issue to vocational education committees with allocations being made shortly afterwards.
