Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the progress made in carrying out a national audit of sports facilities and services. [5663/07]

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the audit of sport and recreation facilities here will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5709/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together.

As I have previously informed the House, the nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. The first phase is being carried out within my Department and will establish a record of national and regional sports facilities.

As the House is aware, the work currently being undertaken is a data gathering exercise in conjunction with the main sporting bodies and local authorities to identify the facilities for inclusion in this phase. My Department has compiled a list of in excess of one hundred sports facilities of national or regional significance. Many of these have been funded under the Sports Capital Programme since 1999 and a considerable bank of information already exists, although some of this information is not up to date and therefore an updating of data is being undertaken. Furthermore, details of facilities at third level educational institutions and swimming pools have also been included on this inventory. Further engagement with the main sporting bodies, local authorities, facility owners and managers is being undertaken so that a comprehensive database on the range and nature of sporting facilities at national and regional level can be completed.

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to put in place a national sports facility strategy that will identify gaps in facility provision and set out an approach to fill these gaps. It is anticipated that the Strategy will be completed within a six-month period.

By ascertaining and mapping what is already in place at a national and regional level, an important part of developing a strategic approach to future facility provision will be put in place, as well as establishing the level of need that exists in the sports sector and helping to determine future priorities. As stated previously, the enormity of completing the complete audit of sports facilities should not be underestimated and, given the experience of other countries, is likely to take a number of years to complete.