John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans regarding the publication of the national sports facilities strategy 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8229/10]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A draft national sports facilities strategy 2010-2015 has been completed within my Department and circulated to a number of Departments and other relevant bodies for observations prior to finalisation. The draft strategy is now being amended to take account of the comments received and will then be submitted to the Government for approval and publication.

The aim of the five-year strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level and to ensure a joined-up approach across the various agencies and Departments involved in supporting the provision of sport and recreational facilities. The strategy also identifies the wider economic, health and social case for continued investment in sports facilities. It aims to prioritise areas for future investment and to ensure continued impact in the relevant areas.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his answer, but the real answer I want is when this will be published. We are going back to 2002, when the Minister's predecessor announced the strategy, and there was a review before that. The Minister is now saying that it is with different Departments.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The draft is already completed.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When does the Minister expect it to be published and brought before the House so that people will know the strategy for facilities in the country? What are the cost implications of the draft? Does the draft contain a commitment to the national sports campus?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have just come from the conference to announce elite funding under the carding system. I am pleased at the very positive comments I received from representatives of all different sports bodies about the level of funding put into the sport, and how significant it is for them that the level of support for our top athletes is maintained. I made my view clear at the conference that we must continue to build at Abbotstown. We have not been able to do it in the timescale originally set out, given the economic situation that exists. With the completion of the stadium at Lansdowne Road in May and with Thomond Park and Croke Park already completed, the missing link in our sporting facilities is in Abbotstown. About 50 to 60 different sports will benefit from the development out there. If things improve this year, we will be able to move on that in the next couple of years.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister said in previous answers that until this strategy is in place, there will be no new funding for facilities or for sports capital funding. Even though he said there will be no funding for facilities in 2010, does he mean that there will be no funding for the lifetime of this Government? Is he telling us that the whole thing is being put on the long finger?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is raising a separate question. I was specifically talking about Abbotstown. The number of projects done last year for clubs reached record levels. There is another €50 million in the budget this year for the continuation and completion of-----

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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They are existing applications.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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They do not exist until they are built. There were existing applications, but many of them had to apply for planning permission which they only recently received. I would not exclude the possibility of a new round of sports capital funding. It is my intention to get the draft report into a final report, bring it before the Government and publish it as quickly as possible.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That would be very welcome. We have been talking a lot about stimulus, and this is an ideal stimulus that stretches its tentacles into every club and organisation around the country. At a time when prices are much lower, it would be a very good strategy.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy. There is great value for money available at the moment. Facilities that might have cost X plus Y a few years ago will only cost X today. That is to the benefit of those who are building them and to the Exchequer.