Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will direct resources for a two-year period towards the provision of sports and community projects and the provision of physical education facilities in schools at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36320/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances to schools and colleges, throughout the country. It is the main vehicle for development of sports facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Under the programme priority is given to the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of sports facilities

Primary and post-primary schools wishing to be considered for funding under the programme may apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must meet other conditions including a requirement that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility, at least 30 hours a week throughout the year, when it is not being used by the school itself. Any sports facility proposed for funding by a sporting organisation and which would be located within school grounds would have to meet these same conditions.

Applications from primary and post-primary schools and colleges on their own are not considered under the programme. Responsibility for the provision of sports facilities in schools and colleges is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Education and Science.