Vol. 737 No. 4
26 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the possibility of using disused railway lines as walking trails in view of the success of the Westport railway line walk, County Mayo; if a feasibility study will be performed to identify other suitable sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18965/11]
The Westport to Achill cycle and walking route also known as the great western greenway has indeed been a great success. Mayo County Council was responsible for initially identifying the route, investigating the feasibility of the route and for the actual delivery of the route. Phase 1 of the project was completed in April 2010, and phases 2 and 3 are expected to be opened by the end of this month. Based on information from Mayo County Council, the first phase has been remarkably popular with more than 2,000 users during the Easter weekend alone. Financing is being provided through co-funding from the Department and Fáilte Ireland.
Such cycle and walk ways represent an area which is directly relevant to two key aspects of my Department, that is to say, smarter travel and tourism. The great western greenway is a prime example of this, being a resource for the people of Mayo and tourists to the region. While the development of such proposals is in the first instance a matter for the local authorities, I, my Department and the agencies of my Department are keen, bearing in mind the financial constraints, to support such initiatives.
Similarly, feasibility studies for potential routes along other abandoned rail lines are a matter for the local authorities concerned. With regard to the potential of other disused rail lines for similar projects, Kerry County Council has proposed the development of a cycle route from Tralee to Fenit and the Department has agreed to provide €200,000 for funding for this.
Although not utilising disused railway lines, Meath County Council carried out a feasibility study for a cycle route along the Boyne Valley linking Trim to Drogheda. This would have obvious benefits from a smarter travel and tourism perspective. However, the cost of such a scheme would be at least €13 million and this does not take account of any land acquisition. Given the financial position of the State at present, it is not possible to provide such a level of funding.
The National Roads Authority completed a scoping study for a national cycle network in 2010. This study is available from www.smartertravel.ie and identifies potential route corridors, although not actual routes, between urban areas with a population of 10,000 or more that could constitute a national cycle network. Following this, the Department tasked the National Roads Authority to conduct a feasibility study of a cycle way from Dublin to Galway and on to Clifden. The public consultation on the Dublin to Mullingar section of the route is due to commence shortly.
In view of the success of the great western greenway, the effects it has had on tourism in the area and the fact it has provided a great service at little cost for the local people I seek a feasibility study to be carried out in several places. The Minister outlined some of them, including the proposed Kerry route and the cycle route along the main carriageways. We are also considering linking north Dublin to south Dublin with a cycle route. I hope the Minister could further examine other routes, perhaps unused railway stations and other such places, and pressurise the local authorities to come up with some reports in this regard.
I welcome the Deputy's suggestion. We are willing to do that and I have indicated as much in my reply. However, I am keen to avoid spending hundreds of thousands or even millions of euro on feasibility studies and plans for projects which cannot be paid for or brought through to fruition. I would rather deliver one project and make it happen than carry out studies or consultancy reports on ten projects that will never happen.
I have not yet been to see the great western greenway. There is an outstanding invitation from the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, who is determined that I should come down to see it and I intend to do so in the coming months.
On 29 July.
The Minister should bring his cheque book when he goes to Mayo.
It is paid for already.
There has been no great expense in this regard. Many of these proposals could be carried out with little or no expense. Some of the properties are in State ownership and some belong to communities. The expense would not be vast. From this point of view I hope we could further consider schemes that will not cost a great deal of money.
I welcome the support from the Department for the Tralee to Fenit line, which is important. My wife and I visited the Newport to Mulranny line last summer. It is an impressive and fantastic infrastructure. Last Saturday morning as I cycled the Ring of Kerry I passed the Mountain Stage railway line in south Kerry. There are fantastic tunnels and viaducts along the line. At present, South Kerry Development Partnership Limited is carrying out a feasibility study on the line. It hopes to open a greenway from Glenbeigh to Caherciveen. I call on the Minister to keep his eyes open for the feasibility report when it comes back.
In respect of the great western greenway it is important to acknowledge the council's work and especially the co-operation of the landowners and farmers which is essential if one is trying to do a project such as this. The key thing at the end of any feasibility study is the cost. In the case of the great western greenway, the cost was €1.4 million for phase 1 and €1.75 million for phase 2. There is a 50:50 split in the cost with the whole project costing just in excess of €3 million. By contrast, the other attractive project along the Boyne Valley would cost €13 million without getting any land along the way. These can be relatively inexpensive or rather expensive. I look forward to examining the proposals mentioned by Deputy Griffin. I am not familiar with the spot but the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, assures me it is a good spot.
27 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to maximise the use of sporting facilities and accommodation here by teams, staff and supporters in the run up to, and during, the London Olympics in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18966/11]
I chair a high-level co-ordinating group which is identifying opportunities for Ireland that may arise across the sports, tourism, cultural and enterprise sectors as a result of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. One objective is to attract international teams and athletes for training camps. To date, four international teams have chosen the National Aquatic Centre , NAC, as a training base. Last month, the NAC hosted the Hungarian and British water-polo men's senior squads for a training camp and two international matches, while the US Olympic synchronized swimming squad and the British paralympic swimming squad have also chosen the NAC as a training base. A number of other sports facilities such as those at UCD and the University of Limerick are also directly promoting their facilities to attract international teams and athletes. In addition, my Department has produced for widespread circulation a CD which contains the details of a number of Irish elite sports facilities that would be suitable as training camps. I would be happy to make a copy available to the Deputy. A difficulty in attracting teams and athletes is that cities in the United Kingdom are offering financial incentives to every national Olympic and Paralympic committee to locate in the United Kingdom to prepare in an approved pre-games training centre.
The co-ordinating group is also considering other potential benefits. The tourism agencies are working closely with a range of partners at home and overseas to maximise the tourism opportunities. Enterprise Ireland is actively pursuing opportunities for Irish business, while the cultural agencies are developing proposals for a cultural programme around the London games. The London 2012 co-ordinating group will continue to meet on an ongoing basis in the coming year to maximise opportunities across each of the sectors.
This is a golden opportunity to advertise Ireland and the facilities available here. As the Minister of State noted, facilities such as the National Aquatic Centre and the National Sports Campus, as well as other sites in Limerick and elsewhere, will be utilised. As this is a great opportunity to attract both teams and tourists, it is important that we make an effort. Any way by which incentives can be made available to visitors to come here should be considered because of the importance of this event. It also will provide Ireland with an opportunity to demonstrate what it can do to support these events, even though they are being hosted by our nextdoor neighbours. However, this constitutes an important relationship-building exercise with them.
The Deputy is correct and we have been lucky thus far. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has been working with Irish companies in building facilities for the Olympic Games. In this context, projects worth €300 million have been secured. Moreover, Enterprise Ireland is confident that more will be gained in this regard. Tourism Ireland is working hard to avail of cultural and tourism opportunities. It is in discussions with agents and encouraging people visiting Britain to travel to Ireland. In particular, on foot of the introduction of the new visa arrangement, people who intend to attend the Olympic Games are being encouraged to visit Ireland for a few days. In addition, a number of agencies are working to try to arrange cultural events in Ireland to encourage people to leave London. As that city will be very busy during the Olympic Games, the hope is people will decide it is too busy and travel to Ireland. They are being encouraged to visit any part of the island they wish. Everyone is working hard in this regard.
This important event constitutes a great opportunity for Ireland. In particular, I compliment Enterprise Ireland because of its hard work with Irish companies which has yielded the great total of €300 million in revenue and I hope more will be achieved. The major obstacle to getting groups to visit this country is that the British Government and cities within Britain are offering £25,000 and more to encourage teams to use their facilities. We lack the resources and the money to do this and as such, have done well to attract four teams. Nevertheless, we have ideas to try to encourage other teams to come to Ireland in the remaining months. The Government is working hard on this issue.
Perhaps the recent VAT reductions in respect of accommodation, restaurants and so on might be promoted and people made aware that it now is cheaper to come to Ireland. In addition, will the Minister of State be able to ascertain whether the Olympic torch can pass through Ireland? As it would be a great advertisement, is it part of the plan? My recollection is that there have been some discussions in this regard. Will the torch pass through the country before crossing over into England?
I had thought there would be some news this week on the Olympic torch. I must compliment Mr. Pat Hickey who is working hard on the issue. A number of meetings have taken place both here and abroad and I expect an announcement to be made within the next month which I hope will be positive. I compliment the Taoiseach, all of the State agencies and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, who have held meetings on the issue. However, to be fair, Mr. Hickey has been working extremely hard and I am very confident in this regard. Although I had hoped for an announcement this week, it did not happen, but I am confident it will be made next month. As I stated, a number of meetings have taken place and it would be a great boost for the country. Certainly, it would be the first time for many years that the Olympic torch had left the country in which the event was taking place. It would be a great signal for Ireland and provide a great boost for the economy. I hope and I am confident it will happen.
28 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the tender for the National Car Testing Service is due for review; if he is satisfied with the level of the service the current company provides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18863/11]
Following a competitive tender, the contract for the provision of the national car test service, NCTS, was awarded by the Road Safety Authority to Applus for a ten—year period from 2010 to 2019 and it assumed responsibility for the provision of a national car testing service on 4 January 2010. The contract requires the company to meet a number of specific performance standards in a wide range of operational areas, including customer waiting times, customer satisfaction and test integrity. It sets out the penalties that can be imposed in the event that the contractor fails to meet the performance requirements set out. The RSA monitors the performance of the NCT service continuously and has regular meetings with the service provider to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
The question of performance is a matter for the RSA and I will convey the Deputy's question to the agency for a direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
The nation was shocked by RTE's exposé on "Prime Time Investigates" of the carry-on of some employees in a NCT centre located in my constituency. I acknowledge some elements of this matter may be sub judice. This essential service contributes enormously to road safety and standards of vehicle inspection in Ireland. On occasion, one hears about the difficulties experienced by some customers in obtaining prompt appointments and I was pleased to hear the Minister address that issue, together with waiting times and penalties. As the monitoring of performance is equally important, does the service contract contain a get-out clause if, for example, the NCT service provider is not performing or is found wanting?
While I must double-check the position on the Deputy's last question, it is standard practice in most public service contracts of this nature to have such a break clause in the case of failure by a party to uphold its side of the contract. In respect of the first year of the contract, the performance of the company was assessed over the course of the year. This has changed and from this year onwards, performance will be assessed on a quarterly basis. In so doing, the Road Safety Authority will be assisted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and AA Ireland. In 2010 the overall satisfaction rating was at 84%, which constituted a slight fall on the 88% figure recorded in the previous year. However, the number of complaints is very low — fewer than 0.1% complained about their test. Moreover, of the 21 appeals lodged, 17 were rejected, while only four were upheld.
I take a great deal of assurance from the Minister's comments and look forward to discussing the issue of a possible get-out clause with him again should this prove necessary.
Have sanctions been imposed on Applus as a result of the revelations on the recent "Prime Time Investigates" programmes about irregularities in the industry? Has the Minister made representations about people being informed about tests? Test dates appear to pass people by and they are not notified that their test date is approaching. This happens constantly and constituents complain to me all the time that they were not informed that their test dates were approaching in the manner that used to happen years ago when others handled the NCT service. The Minister should consider this matter.
One point I should have mentioned in my previous reply to Deputy Keating is that performance was measured at 92% which was ahead of the target of 90%.
The issue of people receiving notice of renewal has come up several times and was mentioned in committee recently. Consequently, I have undertaken to make contact with the Road Safety Authority and the company to ascertain whether a system of notification of renewal can be introduced similar to that in place, for example, for driving licences.
As for sanctions, in some cases staff have been dismissed or suspended in respect of what was revealed on "Prime Time Investigates". I am confident that Applus has acted in these cases. The only sanctions that can be applied to the company arise when it fails to meet performance standards in respect of waiting times for test appointments, as well as at the different test centres. If that occurs, a performance-related financial adjustment is made to their payment. In 2010, a downward adjustment was made to their contract for their failure to meet some of the required targets
29 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the overlap and duplication of roles performed by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland; his plans to address any inefficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18961/11]
Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, following the amalgamation of Bord Fáilte Éireann and CERT. Its primary functions are the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry.
In December 1998, the parties to the Good Friday Agreement decided that a publicly owned limited company would be established by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte Éireann to carry out functions related to the promotion of tourism to the island of Ireland. The company, Tourism Ireland Limited, was incorporated in December 2000. Tourism Ireland is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council, of which I am a member, with funding for its operations being provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and my Department. The primary remit of the company is to promote the island of Ireland as a tourist destination in overseas markets. The company works closely with Fáilte Ireland, NITB, and the tourism industry in delivering its remit.
The close working relationship between the organisations is strengthened by the chief executive of Fáilte Ireland and the chair of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board both sitting on the board of Tourism Ireland. The Fáilte Ireland authority also meets the board of Tourism Ireland and the NITB to discuss issues of mutual interest. The chief executive of Tourism Ireland regularly attends the meetings of the Fáilte Ireland board on an observer basis. Furthermore, the chief executives and senior management teams in Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the NITB, work hard to foster closer working relationships between the agencies.
Regarding any overlap in activities, the Government is of the view that it is important that all State agencies constantly review and monitor their operations to ensure that optimal returns are received for public investment. Subject to discussions with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, if there is scope for potential savings from eliminating any duplication between the relevant bodies, this will be pursued in the months ahead. I am aware that on the corporate side, the agencies in the South are already working to share services, where possible, with a view to driving economies, and so divert all available resources to programme areas.
As the Minister said, Tourism Ireland was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement and as a body of the All Ireland Implementation Bodies. It markets the island of Ireland internationally while Fáilte Ireland markets the 26 Counties locally and the Northern Ireland Tourism Board markets the Six Counties locally. There seems to be a significant overlap in the work of the bodies. Does the Minister see any possibility of merging these agencies into one all-Ireland tourism grouping? This would result in significant savings all around with an end to duplication. Does the Minister see any merit in this suggestion?
Tourism Ireland is a North-South Body established under the Good Friday Agreement and it is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council, of which I am a member. At one meeting I had the opportunity to speak to my counterpart and a bilateral meeting is planned in due course. When this issue was initially discussed it was the view of the Government at the time that there would be a single tourism authority for all Ireland. If there were to be a united Ireland this would be the case. However, for this to be the case, there would have to be agreement from the all-party Executive in Northern Ireland and this is not the case because the Unionist community wishes to retain the separate Northern Ireland Tourism Board as a separate entity to promote Northern Ireland and it is not prepared to move from that position. This is the case at the moment.
I have heard the Minister's reply. I still believe there is much scope for linking up as regards tourism and the promotion of the canals and boating, for example. There is a significant potential to push this forward. We should aim to push forward an all-Ireland tourism approach and not to have a fragmented approach with money being expended in duplication. Proper co-ordination would result in a far better advertisement for the whole island of Ireland.
Our aim is to have a united Ireland and it is the aspiration in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. However, the Deputy will know better than me that these issues are sensitive and complex and we do not wish the Unionist community to perceive a threat or that we are trying to take over their authority. I understand the Deputy's viewpoint and I have sympathy with what he is suggesting, that efficiencies could be delivered by having a single entity but this would have to be agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive and would require a change in an international treaty. This would be as much a matter for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as it would be for me.
30 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of a recent report in the published accounts of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus conducted by a company (details supplied), the reason such large provisions for liabilities and charges were made in their balance sheets; if such large provisions could be used to artificially inflate losses at the companies in order to attract greater State subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18902/11]
52 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason, in a recent report into the published accounts of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus conducted by a company (details supplied), Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus have made loans to the CIÉ parent company totalling €143.1 million; the rationale behind these loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18903/11]
54 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of a recent report in the published accounts of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus conducted by a company (details supplied), if he will instruct CIÉ to repay loans of €76.6 million received from Dublin Bus rather than introduce cuts that will further restrict the company’s services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 52 and 54 together.
I am aware of the report referred to in the questions. Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus strongly dispute the conclusions in the report.
All figures included in the published financial statements of the companies are subject to independent audit by the companies' auditors. Claims provisions are also reviewed by external consultant actuaries under the supervision of the NTA, National Transport Authority. I have been informed by the companies that they take all reasonable steps to ensure they have appropriate information regarding claims exposures. In estimating the cost of claims notified but outstanding, the companies have regard to the accident circumstances as established by investigations, any information available from legal or other experts and information on court precedents on liabilities with similar characteristics in previous periods.
The inter-company loans from Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are included in the balance sheet of CIE and its bus subsidiaries. The inter-company loans relate to a banking pooling facility operated by the CIE group, which is common in many large businesses, in particular, those with subsidiary companies. When Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus generate cash from their operations it is pooled in a CIE group bank account. The CIE group believes this is a very efficient system which reduces banking costs and fees considerably.
I am informed that their repayment will not have any impact on operations of the companies which are fully accounted for in the profit and loss account of each company.
I have a question on procedure to ask the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I ask why questions being dealt with in the House use the term, "details supplied". Is there a ruling? It seems unusual to me that we are not supplied with the information.
The ruling is that persons outside the House should not be referred to in debate.
31 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his priorities, as Minister for Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/11]
In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for tourism and sport, I have delegated responsibility for sport with particular focus on the sports capital programme; the national sports facilities strategy; engagement with the Irish Sports Council and the local sports partnerships on promoting participation in sport, recreation and physical activity; the chairing of the high level co-ordinating group which is identifying opportunities that might arise from the proximity of the London Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2012, and the European agenda on sport, including attendance at Council of Ministers meetings when sports issues are being discussed.
The programme for Government provides that, "In future sports funding should prioritise projects which further greater participation in sport on a local and national level." This will underpin my priorities in the area of sport. I will also work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in progressing the development of the national sports campus project on an incremental basis. During my time as Minister with responsibility for sport, I would also like to bring increased emphasis to the need to involve more women in sport; to increasing the opportunities for people with disabilities, and to providing facilities for those in disadvantaged areas.
Many sports are not being promoted which are of significant benefit to communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I am also conscious that many local sports clubs, be they GAA or soccer clubs, are in debt. This will become a bigger problem and many clubs will struggle to survive. When this happens I hope the Minister of State will look favourably on many of these clubs.
In regard to people taking part in sports, I published a report last week for the Sports Council. I am delighted to say more people are taking part in sports. Some 15% of the population does not take part in any sport in this country, an area which I will target in conjunction with the local sports partnership company to determine how we can encourage people to take part.
As I said in my reply, I am very anxious about disadvantaged areas. The Deputy referred to volunteers. This is the year of the volunteer and, but for them, we in this country would not have many of the facilities, organisations and people taking part in sports. I thank them for their time and effort. I was in Athens last week. More than 200 young people travelled there on their own time as volunteers. They gave of their time, holidays and travel to support and help athletes. I thank them on behalf of the Government for the effort and time they give to voluntarism in this country.
My priority as Minister of State is to ensure women, people in disadvantaged areas and those with disabilities get every possible opportunity. I was delighted to see 4,500 women taking part in a mini-marathon in my county of Mayo. I hope it happens in every county. If one gets women involved, children will become involved. We should try to make it easier for people to become involved. I compliment the GAA, the FAI and the IRFU on reducing their prices recently to allow families to take part in sport.
I concur with the Minister of State in regard to volunteers. A large number of people are volunteers and they are a great credit to communities. Sport has helped to improve areas massively. People participate in sport from an early age. In my area there have been major sports festivals. There was one in Farnham in Finglas recently in which 35 teams and hundreds of children participated. Encouraging it enhances communities and volunteering is magnificent.
I could not agree more with the Deputy. As I said, this is the year of the volunteer. We could never speak strongly enough of them and the time and effort they give to sport in this country. We could not pay for it. We do not thank them often enough for their effort, time and commitment. People volunteer from Monday to Friday and Friday to Sunday. None of the national sports organisations could operate without them and we need to keep thanking them. I read a report recently which stated that more people want to volunteer and give of their time but there is a problem, namely, that organisations do not ask them to come on board and provide courses to try to help them do what they are asked. If they provided them, they would do them because this is a great country for volunteers. I thank them for the job they do.
32 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to reestablish a sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/11]
34 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital programme will be announced; his policy on the way that this will be managed compared to the manner in which it was managed by the previous Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/11]
36 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will issue regarding a new sports capital programme; the level of funding provided in respect of the sports capital programme for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18964/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 34 and 36 together.
Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. It is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities in Ireland. The programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from new equipment for the smallest clubs to regional multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.
In excess of 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocation in that time to more than €739 million. These grants continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of modern, high quality facilities throughout Ireland that attract more people to participate in sporting activities. While no new round of the programme has been advertised since 2008, the programme is still very active, with €33 million provided in 2011 to fund existing allocations.
The programme for Government provides that: "In future sports funding should prioritise projects which further greater participation in sport on a local and national level." This will be a central focus of any new round of the programme. I am considering the options available to me with regard to a new programme within the current financial constraints, but no decision has been made about the timing of future rounds of the programme.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I know he is aware that many people in this country consider investment in sports and sporting facilities to be a luxury and that it should not take precedence over what some people consider to be essential services. We have many health problems in Ireland today. Diabetes is a growing problem. Obesity, especially among young people, mental health problems and suicide, an issue in which I am involved, anti-social behaviour and crime are all problems. I understand, based on discussions I have had with the Minister of State, that he knows investment in sport helps to reverse such problems.
I want to refer to what I consider to be the ad hoc decisions taken by previous Governments in distributing the precious resources we had in sport. I live in Dublin Mid-West, part of which is the fastest-growing community in Ireland. There is no swimming pool in Lucan. A Fianna Fáil Minister opened many swimming pools during his tenure. That is just one example. I note the Minister of State will allocate the resources we have based on need and merit.
I ask the Deputy to frame a question.
Does the Minister of State envisage significant cutbacks in investment in sporting facilities due to the economic crisis and difficulties we have inherited owing to the previous Government's mismanagement of our resources?
I thank the Deputy for tabling his important question. As he knows, every Member of the House is anxious to know when the sports capital programme will operate again. As I said in my reply, sport is very important in this country. We love it and people want to take part in it. It is my job and that of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, to ensure whoever wants to take part gets every opportunity to do so at a reasonable price and that facilities are made available to everyone.
There has been a comprehensive swimming pool programme in recent years. We are examining whether to enhance the programme. Local authorities have said they find it very difficult to get matching funding, which is a big problem. There is some funding within the Department and we will complete the programme. I understand 58 projects are involved and a number have not been completed.
On spending responsibilities in this country, the Department has laid down a criterion. There are marks in regard to disadvantaged areas and who should and should not receive funding. If and when there is a new round of programmes, funding will be fairly distributed throughout the country. I agree with the Deputies that it should be prioritised for areas that need it badly.
The Minister and I have had discussions on reopening the programme. My priority will be to work from the bottom up. We have the Aviva stadium, Croke Park and Thomond Park, which are worthy national projects. There are some regional projects but I want to work from the bottom up. There are clubs working and trying to encourage young people to become involved in sport. I have had discussions with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to reopen the programme. I hope it will happen before the end of the year. That is the goal towards which we are working.
I cannot yet say when the programme will reopen. Many Deputies have asked me when it will be reopened. Many clubs throughout the country have projects which are ready to go and need some funding. It will be more difficult for them now to get matching funding. It was a great scheme which worked very well. There are great facilities in this country and that is why we are working hard to try to get people to come from all over the world to use them for the Olympics.
The sports capital programme has been the lifeblood of communities. There is no doubt it has delivered hugely for them. In certain areas it has been politically driven. I take the comments of the Minister of State on board when he said he would not be part of any politically driven funding.
There are sports capital projects in my area. He has given a guarantee before that projects that have been promised over recent years will be delivered and that there is no going back on them. There are two in Finglas, one in Kildonan and one in Johnstown. I want to ensure there will be no rowing back on commitments that have been made.
The Deputy has raised that matter before and I reassure the House that there are €77 million worth of projects outstanding. There were more but we have written to give all the organisations and clubs every opportunity to try to draw down funding. We have not pressurised them but have given them that opportunity. Many projects are ready to go but, as the Deputy knows, there are a lot of problems, including planning, matching funds and legal problems over property. I am giving a guarantee, however, that the Government is committed to the sum of €77 million for projects that are ready to go. I compliment my officials in Killarney who are working closely with sporting organisations that have funding to draw down. They will work with them to assist in any way that is possible. That money is there for them when they are ready to draw it down. We will not pressurise them but the time will come when, if we are seeking a new round, we will have to clarify what is happening with the old round. It is important therefore that clubs which can draw down the money will do so as quickly as possible.
Based on his experience in the Department, will the Minister of State clarify that the schemes to date have been run in a fair and unbiased way, without undue political influence? Given the way the question was phrased, there is a suggestion that what went before was somehow bad, but that would be a wrong assertion. I note the Minister of State's point about working from the bottom up. Having received representations from all sides of the House, however, it is clear that many communities across all constituencies received money. There are many fine community facilities throughout the country. Perhaps the Minister of State could clarify that point.
The criteria laid down by the Department are carried through by my officials. When I took office I had some reservations about the way the scheme had been operated in the past. My officials have told me quite clearly, however, that those schemes were done on a fair and balanced basis. The criteria include disadvantaged areas. Some of the biggest problems they have is that there are not matching funds from some of those drawing down funding. I am quite happy that, in the past, the scheme was run appropriately.
As regards this and past rounds, there are disadvantaged areas that do not have the support or manpower to make correct applications for schemes. I will be asking my departmental officials, therefore, to make it easier for these organisations to make such applications and to help and support them in every way we can. Sport is very important for the country. It is about targeting disadvantaged areas and ensuring everyone is included.
Deputy Keating said earlier that if more people took part in activities such as walking and cycling, there would be fewer people in hospitals in five years time. There would be fewer people suffering heart attacks and strokes, so fewer hospital beds would be required. It is everyone's job to ensure we get as many people as possible to take part in sporting activities.
I sincerely thank the Minister of State for his comments. One only has to examine the record to see the geographic spread of new swimming pools in the past. That historical record cannot be changed. We are now in a new era, but I take heart from the Minister of State's response. Despite what will be severe restrictions in sports investment, we can take great heart from the reports we have had. The Minister of State is clearly passionate and honest about what he is doing. I look forward to the future, despite those financial restrictions.
I would say that will help with the objective criteria.
I thank Deputy Keating for his remarks.
That was a plea for the swimming pool.
The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, as well as the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, and I, will be fighting hard to hold on to what we can. I have told the Minister for Finance and the Cabinet in general that sport is so important for the well-being of the country. We will be fighting every step of the way to hold as much of the budget as we can.
If the Minister of State had €10 million, it would not be enough.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
