Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will give favourable consideration to providing grant aid towards the provision of drop-in or indoor recreational centres in areas affected by anti-social behaviour due in large part to a lack of recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19350/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The sports capital programme which is administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities. In total, since 1998, capital funding of €568 million has been allocated in respect of 6,716 projects all over Ireland, as well as several major infrastructure projects. One of the stated objectives of the sports capital programme is to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of sports facilities. In keeping with Government policy, allocations under the programme reflect special priority for the development of sports and recreational facilities in areas designated as disadvantaged i.e. RAPID, CLÁR and Local Drugs Task Force areas. My Department liaises closely with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pobal and Local Authorities with regard to continuing to prioritise applications for sports capital funding from areas designated by Government as disadvantaged.I am pleased to say that in the period 2003 to 2007 almost €152 million has been allocated through the sports capital programme towards the provision of a wide variety of indoor and outdoor multi-purpose and sport specific facilities in disadvantaged areas which are providing excellent opportunities for people of all ages in the communities concerned to participate in sport and physical recreation in modern top class facilities and in positive social environments. In addition, my Department's National Sports Facility Strategy will help identify any gaps in provision and will assist in the targeting, support and funding of areas of greatest need including those people experiencing social and economic disadvantage.Through my Department special funding of €1.98 million has been allocated from the dormant account funds this year for projects that are increasing participation in sports and recreation in disadvantaged areas. This investment is having a positive impact on the lives of young people in disadvantaged areas. In total 781 worthwhile projects throughout the country are benefiting from grants ranging from €500 to €10,000. A variety of sporting and recreation activities for disadvantaged young people are being supported including funding for coaching, training, purchase of equipment, hire of facilities and outings to activity centres.The funding is being distributed through 33 Local Sports Partnerships and Local Authorities, where no Local Sports Partnership currently exists, whose knowledge and expertise was called upon in identifying worthy projects throughout the country.