Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Work on the production of a national sports facilities strategy is at an advanced stage. The aim of the strategy is to provide high level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. It is intended to identify the facilities requirement for sport in order that participation at reasonable cost is feasible for those who wish to engage in sport at either amateur or elite level.

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, 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. Through the sports capital programme, the Government has allocated more than €725 million to more than 7,400 separate sports projects since 1998. The programme has transformed the sporting landscape 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.

The national sports facilities strategy, which will take account of research findings such as those referred to by the Deputy, will address future sports facility funding and provision and will inform future rounds of the sports capital programme.

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