John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in the relation to the national audit of sports facilities; when he expects to finalise the national sports facility strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17629/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. Phase one, which focuses on national and regional sports facilities, has now been completed within my Department. Phase two of the audit, which is a more complex undertaking to establish a record of existing sports facilities at local level and identifying the need for future provision, will be undertaken during 2008 with the assistance of Local Authorities. Guidelines have now been issued to Local Authorities to assist them in carrying out the audit.

The audit is part of a wider exercise to put in place a more strategic approach to the provision of sports facilities in Ireland. Work on the National Sports Facility Strategy is currently underway in my Department. An inter-agency steering group was established to oversee the development of the strategy and consultants, involving both national and international experts in the area of sports facilities, were engaged to assist in the preparation of the strategy. The consultants report is being finalised at present and will then be appraised by the steering group.

The aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment/grant assistance at national, regional and local level. It is intended to identify the facilities requirement for sport so that participation at a reasonable cost is feasible for those who wish to engage in sport at either amateur or elite level.