Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a new communities facilities fund, to support the development of community facilities, has been put in place by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20234/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department administers two capital grants schemes towards the provision of community sports facilities. Under the sports capital programme, funding is allocated to organisations and clubs to assist them in the provision of sports facilities, while under the local authority swimming pool programme, grants are available to local authorities towards the cost of building and refurbishing swimming pools.

The proposed community facilities fund to support the development of facilities not covered by existing schemes, as set out in the agreed programme for Government, was to be created under the local government fund, which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

An inter-agency steering group has been established to oversee the development of a long-term strategic plan to ensure the development of local sports facilities throughout the country. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is one of a number of Departments to be represented on this group. This forum will provide an opportunity to consider how the proposed community facilities fund to support the development of facilities not covered by existing schemes could be developed.