Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the promised sports facility strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41294/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he expects the National Audit of Sports Facilities to be completed; if he will publish this document as soon as it is completed; if he will undertake to act on this document for the purposes of developing a cogent national sports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41127/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 115 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.

The National Sports Facilities Strategy will address future sports facility funding and provision. When the strategy has been completed it will be published as will phase one of the audit of sports facilities.