Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

794 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will provide funding to sports organisations in assisting them to provide facilities in large local authority estates where no facilities currently exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17781/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid):

Under the new national lottery funded sports capital programme, which was advertised at the end of 1998 following a review of the existing programme, funding is allocated on the basis of individual applications received.

While all applications are treated on their merits, special priority is given to proposals for facilities in disadvantaged areas, in line with Government policy aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation in these areas.

Applicants are also now required to consult other clubs and community groups, including schools, with sport and recreational facilities in their areas, and the local authority before making an application for funding and to show the outcome of such consultations. The purpose of this is to ensure that regard is had to identified needs of the area and that the proposed development does not result in overlap with and/or duplication of existing facilities. Sports clubs developing projects at national and regional levels are also required to ensure that their proposals are consistent with the priorities of their national governing bodies.

In addition, my Department may consult as appropriate, when assessing applications, with other relevant Departments and agencies, including the Irish Sports Council, with a view to ensuring co-ordination in the provision of sport and recreational facilities at local level.

Following an application process earlier this year, allocations totalling some £16 million have been made in 1999 to almost 400 local community based projects and to national and regional projects throughout the country under the new sport capital programme.