Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

An allocation of €56 million has been made to the sports capital programme this year, which is similar to the provision for last year. What is different this year is that a new applications round has not been opened up. However, some 800 projects have been approved for funding this year, representing a very substantial allocation for individual projects throughout the State. Like all Members, I am keen that a new round be opened in the near future. The reviews of the sports capital programme and the findings of the national sports facilities strategy will inform our future approach in this area.

One of the key issues involved is to determine the regional balance of services and facilities, that is, whether there is an over-provision in one region and an under-provision in another, in a broad rather than a micro sense. The exercise undertaken as part of the national sports facilities strategy will provide a picture of facilities in the various sporting codes, including, soccer, GAA, boxing, rugby and so on, at regional and club level. That review is close to completion and will inform our approach in terms of the criteria for accessing funding into the future.

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