Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the sports capital programme will proceed in 2009; if there is funding for a new round of this programme in Budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41125/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The aim of the Programme is to maximise participation in sport through the provision of modern high quality, safe, well-designed and sustainable facilities and sports equipment. The provision of such facilities allows for increased numbers to participate in sport.

The Deputy will be aware that allocations under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme were announced in July last. No decision has yet been made about the timing of further rounds of the Programme. In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's vote to cover payments to be made from the C-1 sub-head, which is provided for grants for the provision of sports and recreation facilities.

Since 1998 grants to the value of over €725 million have been awarded to over 7,400 projects under the Sports Capital Programme. This investment has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland and has allowed the development of sports facilities across the length and breadth of the country. These facilities have dramatically increased the opportunities for all people to engage in a wide variety of sports.