Written Answers. - Sports Facilities.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1076
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has made comparisons in relation to the availability of modern sporting and recreational facilities including coaching here and those available in other jurisdictions with a view to identification of deficiencies here and the creation of a plan to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2877/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1080
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has evaluated further needs or deficiencies in the area of sporting and recreational facilities in urban or rural areas, with particular reference to provision of swimming pools and or coaching facilities in urban or rural areas; if he will address such needs by way of specific allocation in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2881/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1081
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has identified deficiencies in youth support services; if he will provide for augmentation of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2882/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1082
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has carried out studies into extra youth recreational requirements in both urban and rural areas here with particular reference to the provision of funding for indoor recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2883/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1083
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has undertaken research in relation to sporting and recreational needs in Maynooth, County Kildare, with particular reference to youth recreational centres or facilities; if he will allocate the necessary funding to meet deficiencies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2884/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1084
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he will undertake a survey of recreational amenities and facilities in Naas, County Kildare, with a view to identification of possible deficiencies and with the objective of providing for such by way of allocation from the proceeds of the national lottery or other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2885/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1085
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has carried out an audit of recreational facilities and amenities in Celbridge, County Kildare, with a view to identification of possible deficiencies in the area of youth recreational outlets; if he will fund identifiable deficiencies from the proceeds of the national lottery or other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2886/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
1086
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has had discussions with community or statutory groups in Leixlip, County Kildare, with a view to augmentation of sporting and recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2887/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1076 and 1080 to 1086, inclusive, together.
As I have already outlined to the Deputy on previous occasions over the past few years the national lottery-funded sports capital programme, administered by my Department, provides financial assistance to clubs-organisations for the provision of sport and recreational facilities. The aims and objectives of the programme are to: develop an integrated and planned approach to the development of sport and recreational facilities; assist voluntary and community organisations with the development of appropriate facilities in appropriate locations that will maximise use in terms of participation in sport and recreation; prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities, and encourage the multi-purpose use of facilities at national, regional and community level by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport.
The programme is advertised annually and applications for funding from clubs-organisations have to be made on an individual basis. All applications received are assessed in accordance with a detailed set of criteria outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. The criteria are as follows: the extent to which the project, in terms of growth targets, will increase the levels of active participation in sport-recreational sport and-or result in improved standards of sporting performance; the extent to which the project, in terms of growth targets, will serve to increase participation in disadvantaged areas; the technical merits of the project i.e. does the project comply with standard technical specifications from the relevant governing body and statutory authorities; the financial viability of the project, that is in addition to lottery funding, has the club-organisation sufficient funds or firm commitments for funding to complete the project within a realistic time frame; the level of local funding available; given realistic projections of income from the project, the extent to which the applicant will be able to maintain the project after completion; the level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area, as defined by ADM Ltd's indicators, and the current and planned levels of sport and-or recreational sport facilities in the area; the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds, having regard to the range of existing facilities in each county; the extent to which applicants have consulted with other clubs, community groups, schools and the local authority in developing their proposals and the outcome of these consultations; in the case of projects aimed at attracting people from disadvantaged areas, the strategies to be used to attract them; the need to achieve an equitable spread of funds among different sports and community groups; the priority of proposed improvements-facility in relation to the club-organisation's existing facilities; and the priorities for their individual sports, as identified by the NGB.
Through these criteria, every effort is made to achieve a balanced geographical spread of funds to benefit all types of eligible projects in all categories, having regard to the existing range of facilities in each county while also affording priority to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation, particularly for young people. Where appropriate, my Department also consults the Irish Sports Council, other Depart ments and local authorities in relation to their respective priorities for the provision of sporting facilities.
The sports capital programme for 2002 was advertised on 25 and 26 November 2001, with a closing date of 4 January, 2002 for the receipt of completed applications. In excess of 1,300 applications were received, including 45 from clubs-organisations in Kildare. All applications are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
Under the swimming pool programme administered by my Department, grants of up to £3 million are available towards both the refurbishment of existing pools and the provision of new pools, subject in both cases to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. These revised grant levels will operate to the end of the current three-year programme in 2002. My Department will be in touch with each local authority when the swimming pool programme is being re-opened, as applications are not being accepted at present under this programme. The last date for accepting preliminary proposals under the present programme was 31 July 2000 and there are 46 applications for refurbishment, replacement and new pool proposals still being processed under this scheme.
Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, and sauna and steam room. Grants are allocated when tenders have been received for the project and will be capped at the time of allocation. Proposals must comply with the standards laid down in the Department's procedures for the planning, approval and financing of swimming pools and technical guidelines.
I am satisfied that the sports capital programme and the swimming pool programme are designed to help local authorities, sports clubs and community organisations to address the amenity and recreational needs, both indoor and outdoor, throughout the country.
