Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the research which calls for reform of the sports capital programme and that calls for reform are based on a number of different problems identified within the sports capital programme; if he will announce a review of the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33794/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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In tabling my question I had in mind a number of ESRI reports which suggest a shift in focus from capital to current expenditure. I raise this issue against the background of the duplication of resources in certain areas, for example, in the case of clubs seeking to build club houses in areas which have an excellent sports facility. When will the national audit of sports facilities to which the Minister alluded be completed? This audit will provide a good indicator of areas in which there is duplication and gaps that need to be filled.

I welcome the written answer I received from the Minister on a specific local issue I raised in a parliamentary question. It referred to Lourdes Celtic FC, a very good soccer club which is working hard to provide a facility, particularly for younger people. The club does not have a sports pavilion or toilet facilities and members are at their wits' end. This is an example of a small local facility which badly needs an injection of funding at a time when major capital programmes are under way in areas where parallel facilities may be in place.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's comments reflect an ongoing and valid debate. I hope the audit will be completed over the coming months. The Irish Sports Council commissioned a number of reports from the ESRI and other agencies. The findings of these reports will influence the direction the Department will take on these issues.

Over the past ten years, sports facilities have been transformed throughout the country. While solutions remain to be found in individual cases, in some instances the Department is not the only reason facilities have not been constructed. I accept that, at a minimum, all sports facilities, for various obvious reasons, need to have proper dressing rooms and toilet facilities. Many of these sports facilities are now for mixed use, which I welcome. One of the issues that arose in the most recent report was the significant issue of ensuring the retention of young women in sport. We are aware of the benefits from the point of view of health, socially and in other respects, gained by individuals who are active in sport. That is an issue we are examining. Perhaps it is time to pause and reflect on the number of sports facilities provided across every county not only in terms of the club or school but to maximise the use of those individual facilities during the day, night and at weekends to ensure that, on behalf of the taxpayer, we obtain the full value for a local community from all the investment that has been made.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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In regard to the county by county aspect of facilities, an interesting commentary in a report by John Considine of the department of economics, University College Cork, published recently, relates to the per capita allocation of the national lottery grant. County Kerry had the highest per capita allocation in 2003-07. I wonder if this is merely a coincidence. Perhaps the Minister will comment on that.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I will, but I know from experience over the years and not only as the Minister responsible that all applications for sports grants go through a rigorous assessment which has nothing to do with the Minister responsible. Unless they come through that process, they do not end up on the desk in terms of recommendations for allocations. There is certainly no way in which a Minister could return to raise the issue of a proposed project, which, as in many cases, may not be approved for technical or legal reasons, including matters related to title.

All I can say in response to the area highlighted by the Deputy is that the applications submitted were obviously of a very high quality and they passed muster in terms of all the assessments that were done.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Perhaps it is a follow-up coincidence that in the from 1999 to 2002 County Donegal had the highest per capita allocation in this respect.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In context of the current round of allocations which have been expended, my constituency does not have the highest per capita allocation in this respect.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It must have the second highest then.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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No, it does not. It is a long way down the list.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Then the Minister was not doing his job.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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One can never win in these matters.