Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the contacts he has had with the countrywide community games organisation following the success of the annual community games finals held in Mosney; if his attention has been drawn to the clear need for the community games to have a permanent venue for the annual games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24380/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I and officials of my Department have had a number of meetings and contacts with representatives of the National Community Games during the past 12 months. Officials of my Department visited Mosney last February to meet with the Reception and Integration Agency and with representatives of the community games organisation to discuss issues relating to the costing of the annual community games finals there. During this positive meeting, all sides confirmed their willingness to help ensure that the facilities in Mosney continue to be available to host the games.

The community games representatives expressed their satisfaction with the range and quality of the facilities and services available at Mosney and their suitability for future national events. They also confirmed that there is no other venue in Ireland with the scale and variety of facilities required for their national events as structured. Any question of providing a special, dedicated venue on the scale required, which would be used only a few times a year, would also be completely unrealistic.

The Reception and Integration Agency confirmed at the meeting that for as long as the agency continues to use Mosney, the community games can avail of the facilities there up to and including 2005. The Reception and Integration Agency has commenced discussions with the proprietor of Mosney regarding a further agreement beyond September 2005. This year I approved funding of €100,000 towards the renovation of the accommodation at the Mosney holiday centre, which is used to house the participants in the community games national finals. Work on the renovation was completed in advance of the finals in August.