Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Partnerships.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

54 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of sports partnerships established to date; the financial allocation received by each; his plans to extend the partnerships to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/02]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

1072 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when he intends to extend the local sports partnership programme to include County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 1072 together.

The Irish Sports Council is currently piloting the concept of local sports partnerships. Eight LSPs were selected in May 2001, after open com petition, for the pilot scheme and these are located in Clare, Donegal, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Roscommon, Sligo and north Tipperary. Each receives an annual allocation of 114,276 from the Sports Council. 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. The proven effectiveness of the concept will determine the final shape and structure of the concept for extension to other areas from end 2003.

The aim of this partnership initiative, which is new to Irish sport and untested, is to create greater opportunities for participation by all in sport and to ensure that resources are cordinated and used to their best efforts at local level.