Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:982 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he will extend the local sports partnership programme to include County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22348/01]
Written Answers. - Sports Partnership Programme.
The creation of local partnerships as envisaged by Government and the social partners in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness has now been incorporated by the Irish Sports Council in its statement of strategy 2000-02. This sets out the pathway which will be followed by the council in the creation of such partnerships as a means of creating sustainable sports development infrastructure at local level.
The council is currently piloting the concept amongst the eight selected local partnerships which were announced on 2 May last. These are located in Clare, Donegal, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary North and were selected, after open competition, to pilot local sports partnerships. Four other areas, Cork, Limerick, Meath and Waterford, are currently involved in an extensive development process with a view to joining the pilot programme in 2002. It is intended to have completed an evaluation of the pilot by mid 2003 and the proven effectiveness of the concept will determine the extending of the scheme to other areas from end 2003.
Questions Nos. 983 to 985, inclusive, lapsed.