Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

As the Minister has previously stated in response to recent questions on the overall development of the national sports campus project, he is currently engaged in discussions with the National Sports Campus Development Authority, NSCDA, as to how we might best advance matters in the medium term taking into consideration the current difficult economic constraints. Notwithstanding these constraints, I am pleased to report that planning permission has recently been obtained for phase one of the National Sports Campus. As the Deputy will be aware, the planning permission includes provision for a multi-sport national indoor training centre to provide world class facilities for more than 20 sports; sports science and medical facilities; accommodation for sportsmen and women; all-weather synthetic pitches for community recreational access; and a national field sports training centre catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey.

Meanwhile, refurbishment work on the former central meat control laboratory has recently been completed and this will provide a headquarters for the Irish Institute of Sport. The provision of further funding for the National Sports Campus project is now being considered as part of the Estimates process for 2010.

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