Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to reestablish a sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/11]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when the sports capital programme will be announced; his policy on the way that this will be managed compared to the manner in which it was managed by the previous Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/11]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when a decision will issue regarding a new sports capital programme; the level of funding provided in respect of the sports capital programme for 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18964/11]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 34 and 36 together.

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, 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. The programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland 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.

In excess of 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocation in that time to more than €739 million. These grants continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of modern, high quality facilities throughout Ireland that attract more people to participate in sporting activities. While no new round of the programme has been advertised since 2008, the programme is still very active, with €33 million provided in 2011 to fund existing allocations.

The programme for Government provides that: "In future sports funding should prioritise projects which further greater participation in sport on a local and national level." This will be a central focus of any new round of the programme. I am considering the options available to me with regard to a new programme within the current financial constraints, but no decision has been made about the timing of future rounds of the programme.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I know he is aware that many people in this country consider investment in sports and sporting facilities to be a luxury and that it should not take precedence over what some people consider to be essential services. We have many health problems in Ireland today. Diabetes is a growing problem. Obesity, especially among young people, mental health problems and suicide, an issue in which I am involved, anti-social behaviour and crime are all problems. I understand, based on discussions I have had with the Minister of State, that he knows investment in sport helps to reverse such problems.

I want to refer to what I consider to be the ad hoc decisions taken by previous Governments in distributing the precious resources we had in sport. I live in Dublin Mid-West, part of which is the fastest-growing community in Ireland. There is no swimming pool in Lucan. A Fianna Fáil Minister opened many swimming pools during his tenure. That is just one example. I note the Minister of State will allocate the resources we have based on need and merit.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputy to frame a question.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister of State envisage significant cutbacks in investment in sporting facilities due to the economic crisis and difficulties we have inherited owing to the previous Government's mismanagement of our resources?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for tabling his important question. As he knows, every Member of the House is anxious to know when the sports capital programme will operate again. As I said in my reply, sport is very important in this country. We love it and people want to take part in it. It is my job and that of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, to ensure whoever wants to take part gets every opportunity to do so at a reasonable price and that facilities are made available to everyone.

There has been a comprehensive swimming pool programme in recent years. We are examining whether to enhance the programme. Local authorities have said they find it very difficult to get matching funding, which is a big problem. There is some funding within the Department and we will complete the programme. I understand 58 projects are involved and a number have not been completed.

On spending responsibilities in this country, the Department has laid down a criterion. There are marks in regard to disadvantaged areas and who should and should not receive funding. If and when there is a new round of programmes, funding will be fairly distributed throughout the country. I agree with the Deputies that it should be prioritised for areas that need it badly.

The Minister and I have had discussions on reopening the programme. My priority will be to work from the bottom up. We have the Aviva stadium, Croke Park and Thomond Park, which are worthy national projects. There are some regional projects but I want to work from the bottom up. There are clubs working and trying to encourage young people to become involved in sport. I have had discussions with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to reopen the programme. I hope it will happen before the end of the year. That is the goal towards which we are working.

I cannot yet say when the programme will reopen. Many Deputies have asked me when it will be reopened. Many clubs throughout the country have projects which are ready to go and need some funding. It will be more difficult for them now to get matching funding. It was a great scheme which worked very well. There are great facilities in this country and that is why we are working hard to try to get people to come from all over the world to use them for the Olympics.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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The sports capital programme has been the lifeblood of communities. There is no doubt it has delivered hugely for them. In certain areas it has been politically driven. I take the comments of the Minister of State on board when he said he would not be part of any politically driven funding.

There are sports capital projects in my area. He has given a guarantee before that projects that have been promised over recent years will be delivered and that there is no going back on them. There are two in Finglas, one in Kildonan and one in Johnstown. I want to ensure there will be no rowing back on commitments that have been made.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has raised that matter before and I reassure the House that there are €77 million worth of projects outstanding. There were more but we have written to give all the organisations and clubs every opportunity to try to draw down funding. We have not pressurised them but have given them that opportunity. Many projects are ready to go but, as the Deputy knows, there are a lot of problems, including planning, matching funds and legal problems over property. I am giving a guarantee, however, that the Government is committed to the sum of €77 million for projects that are ready to go. I compliment my officials in Killarney who are working closely with sporting organisations that have funding to draw down. They will work with them to assist in any way that is possible. That money is there for them when they are ready to draw it down. We will not pressurise them but the time will come when, if we are seeking a new round, we will have to clarify what is happening with the old round. It is important therefore that clubs which can draw down the money will do so as quickly as possible.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Based on his experience in the Department, will the Minister of State clarify that the schemes to date have been run in a fair and unbiased way, without undue political influence? Given the way the question was phrased, there is a suggestion that what went before was somehow bad, but that would be a wrong assertion. I note the Minister of State's point about working from the bottom up. Having received representations from all sides of the House, however, it is clear that many communities across all constituencies received money. There are many fine community facilities throughout the country. Perhaps the Minister of State could clarify that point.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The criteria laid down by the Department are carried through by my officials. When I took office I had some reservations about the way the scheme had been operated in the past. My officials have told me quite clearly, however, that those schemes were done on a fair and balanced basis. The criteria include disadvantaged areas. Some of the biggest problems they have is that there are not matching funds from some of those drawing down funding. I am quite happy that, in the past, the scheme was run appropriately.

As regards this and past rounds, there are disadvantaged areas that do not have the support or manpower to make correct applications for schemes. I will be asking my departmental officials, therefore, to make it easier for these organisations to make such applications and to help and support them in every way we can. Sport is very important for the country. It is about targeting disadvantaged areas and ensuring everyone is included.

Deputy Keating said earlier that if more people took part in activities such as walking and cycling, there would be fewer people in hospitals in five years time. There would be fewer people suffering heart attacks and strokes, so fewer hospital beds would be required. It is everyone's job to ensure we get as many people as possible to take part in sporting activities.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I sincerely thank the Minister of State for his comments. One only has to examine the record to see the geographic spread of new swimming pools in the past. That historical record cannot be changed. We are now in a new era, but I take heart from the Minister of State's response. Despite what will be severe restrictions in sports investment, we can take great heart from the reports we have had. The Minister of State is clearly passionate and honest about what he is doing. I look forward to the future, despite those financial restrictions.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I would say that will help with the objective criteria.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Keating for his remarks.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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That was a plea for the swimming pool.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, as well as the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, and I, will be fighting hard to hold on to what we can. I have told the Minister for Finance and the Cabinet in general that sport is so important for the well-being of the country. We will be fighting every step of the way to hold as much of the budget as we can.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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If the Minister of State had €10 million, it would not be enough.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.