Terence Flanagan
Ceist:200. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts made by his Department to promote indoor sports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26232/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 18 June 2014
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Council for direct reply in relation to the efforts it is making to promote indoor sports. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Government funding of €13m has been provided to the National Sports Campus Development Authority this year to commence the development of a National Indoor Training Arena at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Blanchardstown. The Arena is one of the few remaining major pieces of national sporting infrastructure for elite athletes which is still outstanding. It will incorporate a National Indoor Athletics Training Centre, National Gymnastics Training Centre and National Indoor Training Centre (multi-sports hall). The arena will cater for approximately 26 national sports and as well as providing world-class training facilities for Irish sport, it will allow smaller sporting bodies the potential to host their competitions at local, regional, national and international levels.