Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will undertake to initiate a review of the sports capital programme to ensure its funding best helps increase participation in sports across all sections of society; his views on the fact that the sports capital programme grants continue to be awarded without the guidance of the national facilities audit which is attempting to map the sports facilities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to improve regional balance sports capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will initiate a review of sports policy with a view to making significant changes to the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33766/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the national audit of sports facilities will be completed; the stage this project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33782/08]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the National Sports Facilities Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33783/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142, 147, 166 and 172 together.

Work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy is at an advanced stage in my Department. 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 reasonable cost is feasible for those who wish to engage in sport at either amateur or elite level.

A nationwide audit of sports facilities is being carried out in conjunction with the strategy and is being completed 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, is underway with the assistance of local authorities. Guidelines have been issued to local authorities to assist them in carrying out the audit.

Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. It is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities in Ireland. Through the Sports Capital Programme the Government has allocated over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sports projects since 1998. The Programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence. In applying the assessment criteria of the Sports Capital Programme the Department aims to have a good spread of funding between different geographical areas of the country and the allocations reflect this policy.

The National Sports Facilities Strategy will address future sports facility funding and provision and will inform future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.