Gay Mitchell
Ceist:973 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will consider an integrated plan for sports facilities for Kimmage, Terenure, Templeogue and district (details supplied). [21687/01]
Written Answers. - Sports Facilities.
The details supplied by the Deputy would indicate that the issues raised are ones for consideration in the first place by the local authorities concerned. In addition, I have been informed by my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Molloy, that the provision of open spaces, recreational and sports facilities and amenity areas specifically in local authority housing schemes is a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance.
Meanwhile, my Department provides substantial funding under its sports capital programmes to assist organisations, clubs, community groups and local authorities in the provision of sport and recreational facilities to cater for a broad spectrum of sports and activities for all age groups and levels of participation, at national, regional and local levels throughout the country. Since taking office, I have allocated over £105 million to over 2020 projects in cities, towns and villages in every part of the country. Over the three years of the previous Government, only £18 million was allocated to such projects.
Furthermore, and specifically to assist the local authorities in the provision of good quality swimming pools for their local communities, I increased the annual budget of £3 million provided by the previous Government to a funding package of £45 million for the three year period 2000-02.
The young people's facilities and services fund was established in 1998 for the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities and services in disadvantaged areas and to date approximately £46 million has been allocated to support over 340 facility or service projects in these areas. Under this year's sports capital programme alone I allocated another £23.5 million to 370 sport and recreational facilities in designated disadvantaged areas in various parts of the country.
With other funding provided by my Department, the Irish Sports Council operates a range of programmes with national governing bodies and other organisations aimed at providing enhanced opportunities for all, including young people, to participate in sport and recreation. The council is piloting eight local sports partnerships as a further means of creating sustainable sports development infrastructure at local level and in increasing participation in sport. The council is also working with the GAA, FAI and IRFU in the implementation of special initiatives, both in identified areas of disadvantage and in the wider community, to promote and develop greater opportunities and increased involvement of children and young people in sport and recreation.