Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
197. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are grants available through the sports capital allocations for schools for low-cost projects such as play trails and play spaces within school grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9920/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding is available outside of sports capital funding mechanisms for schools for low-cost projects such a play trails and play spaces within school grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9921/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together.
The provision of sports facilities in schools is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Education and Skills.
In relation to sports facilities generally, the Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations. It is a stated aim of the SCP to encourage the sharing of sports facilities and schools and other educational institutions gain extra marks at assessment by showing that their facilities are shared with local sports clubs and groups.
Under the most recent 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme 45 grants were allocated to schools and other educational organisations with a total value of over €2m. These grants included walking/jogging tracks, multi-use games areas and sports equipment. The programme does not fund playgrounds.
In terms of future priorities, the National Sports Policy which was published last year includes a specific chapter on the development of sports facilities and recognises that schools provide important opportunities for the development of physical literacy. A Sports Leadership Group has been established to drive the implementation of the policy and to draw up an Action Plan to deliver the objectives outlined in the policy. The Department of Education and Skills is represented on the Leadership Group and the first Action Plan is expected to be published later this year.
