Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if consideration of applications under ACCESS and under the sports capital programme is in any way skewed in favour of designated gateways and hubs under the national spatial strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31489/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Fully in accordance with Government policy, the national spatial strategy was taken into account, along with other relevant policies such as the Arts Council's partnership for the arts and the national development plan, when assessing applications under the recent round of the arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme, ACCESS. Of 67 successful projects 37 are in gateways or hubs designated under the national spatial strategy.

The sports capital programme is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. In the assessment of applications under the programme account is taken of the various strategic considerations, including the population served by the facility in its immediate area and surrounding hinterland, distance to comparable facilities and contribution of the facility to increasing performance and participation.

While the location of projects in gateways or hubs under the national spatial strategy is not specifically one of the assessment criteria, nonetheless significant funding has been invested in sports facilities located in hubs and gateways as identified by the national spatial strategy. The Department is seeking to be more strategic in its approach to the future provision of Government funding for all sports facilities. Development of the Department's national sports facilities strategy is under way and the recommendations of the national spatial strategy are being considered as part of that strategy which should provide an improved policy base for the more effective use of public funds and will assist in the targeting, support and funding of areas of greatest need.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is a shame that the national spatial strategy has not been one of the criteria. I had understood all Government spending was supposed to be proofed against its coherence and consistency with the national spatial strategy. I believe that approximately €40 million remains to be spent on such sports facilities. It is essential to avoid a scattergun approach to spending. It is not that spending should not take place in other areas, but it should be of a lesser nature than that allocated to gateways. The argument for cultural centres is identical to the economic arguments for gateways. A critical mass of population is needed for them to be sustainable. The smaller ones in the hubs or other towns in counties are far more likely to thrive because they can be linked to the gateway activities. There will be synergy leading to better value for money for all projects they put on.

Does the Minister agree we need a real focus on the gateways? If they are to mean anything and if we are to have a real spatial strategy this is one area in which we can make our mark and bring vibrancy to the arts in every county rather than dissipate it in a way that results in a proliferation of physical facilities and no vibrancy in the arts.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As I said, 37 of the 67 successful projects are in gateway or hub towns.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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That happened by accident — there was no strategy.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The designation of towns as hubs and gateways was one of the criteria taken into account. It would be wrong of me to say it was the only criterion.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister just read out a reply that said it was not one of the criteria.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Some of the other criteria related to the project and how it is considered in the artistic world. One cannot decide to subsidise an artistic project just because it is based in a town that happens to be a hub or a gateway.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I must have misunderstood the Minister's initial reply. I understood him to say that gateway or hub status was not one of the criteria at all.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The regional sports centres in Waterford, Letterkenny, Finglas, Tullamore and Galway — I could go through the entire list — were funded under this programme. Well over half of the projects are located in towns which have been designated as gateways or hubs.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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By accident.

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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While that was one of the factors taken into account when decisions were made on funding, it is fair to say that it was not the only factor to be considered.