Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 799: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to roll-out the local sports partnership programme on a nationwide basis to promote the development of sport at community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47776/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 802: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to prioritise sports capital programme grants towards those areas identified as most in need of funding and facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47779/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 803: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to fund Special Olympics clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47780/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 805: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to continue to support the Irish Sports Council as the statutory agency for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47782/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 806: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to promote a national advertising campaign highlighting the health benefits of sport and exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47784/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 807: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to change the application criteria of the sports capital programme grants to require only 10% of own funding or contribution where applicants are located in a recognised area of urban disadvantage such as RAPID and a local drugs task force area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47785/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 813: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to produce a Green Paper on animal welfare in sport and recreation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47791/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 814: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to promote greater sharing of school and community sports facilities and make it a condition of the sports capital programme that facilities be made available to schools where appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47795/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 815: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to encourage more schools to apply for funding under the sports capital programme by collaborating with their local sports clubs or community groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47796/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 817: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to ensure that local sports partnerships have an official dedicated to the promotion of girls' and women's involvement in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47798/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 818: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to appoint a member of the Irish Sports Council to deal with all aspects of women in sport, including the gender proofing of all Sports Council decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47799/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 819: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to establish a forum on female participation in sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council to make recommendations on all issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47800/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 820: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to create an annual women's sports award scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47801/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 799, 802, 803, 805 to 807, inclusive, 813 to 815, inclusive, and 817 to 820, inclusive, together.

The five-year programme for Government includes a series of commitments, in respect of sport, for achievement in the period to 2012. I am pleased to say that action is being taken in a progressive manner in these areas to ensure these targets are met in the lifetime of the Government.

Roll out the Local Sports Partnership programme on a nationwide basis to promote the development of sport at community level. [47776/08]

The Local Sports Partnerships network is now fully established in 33 different areas throughout the country. These will now act as a conduit to allow for the delivery of programmes and training to local communities.

Prioritise Sports Capital Programme Grants towards those areas identified as most in need of funding/facilities. [47779/08]

Change the application criteria of the Sports Capital Programme grants to require only 10% of own funding / contribution where applicants are located in a recognised area of urban disadvantage such as RAPID and a Local Drugs Task Force area. [47785/08]

Promote greater sharing of school and community sports facilities and make it a condition of the Sports Capital Programme that facilities be made available to schools where appropriate. [47795/08]

Encourage more schools to apply for funding under the Sports Capital Programme by collaborating with their local sports clubs, and/or community groups. [47796/08]

Through the Sports Capital Programme, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The 2008 Programme was advertised in January and allocations were made at the end of July 2008 the details of which are available on the Department's website dast.gov.ie.

For the 2008 Sports Capital Programme the Department introduced a number of changes to implement key commitments contained in the Agreed Programme for Government. The level of own funding required from applicants in urban disadvantaged areas has been reduced from 20% to 10%. This covers applicants from RAPID and Local Drugs Task Force areas. This change is in keeping with the Government's commitment to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas. When completed, the National Sports Facility Strategy and the National Sports Facility Audit which is currently underway will further help to direct the provision of facilities to areas most in need of funding and facilities.

The Programme for Government also contains important commitments to promote greater sharing of sports facilities between schools and local sports clubs. Under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme, schools making joint applications with local sports clubs are required to provide evidence of formal agreements with local clubs that guarantees the clubs access to school facilities for at least 30 hours per week throughout the year. In assessing applications, extra marks are also awarded to sports clubs that can show that they are allowing local schools to use their facilities. I intend to discuss with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, how his programme for the provision of sports halls in schools and the Sports Capital Programme might be dovetailed to provide greater value for money and enhanced facilities both for schools and the local community users.

The inter-agency steering group, established to oversee the development of a National Sports Facilities Strategy, includes representation from the Department of Education & Science. The work of this group has included discussions with the Department of Education & Science on how its policy on the provision of sports hall facilities and my Department's policy for the provision of sports facilities might be complementary.

Fund Special Olympics clubs. [47780/08]

In 2008 Special Olympics Ireland received €2,849,188 from the Irish Sports Council to support the organisation.

Continue to support the Irish Sports Council as the statutory agency for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. [47782/08]

The Irish Sports Council, which was established on a statutory basis in 1999, has witnessed a major increase in the levels of funding from the Department from €13.5m in 2000 to over €53m in 2009.

Promote a national advertising campaign highlighting the health benefits of sport and exercise. [47784/08]

This is being considered by the Irish Sports Council as part of the development of a Participation Strategy. Discussions have also taken place with the HSE in relation to possible co-operation in this area.

Produce a Green Paper on Animal Welfare in Sport and Recreation. [47791/08]

The most effective process for giving effect to this commitment will be considered in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Ensure that Local Sports Partnerships have an official dedicated to the promotion of girls and women's involvement in sport. [47798/08]

Appoint a member of the Irish Sports Council to deal with all aspects of women in sport, including the gender proofing of all Sports Council decisions. [47799/08]

Establish a Forum on Female Participation in Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council to make recommendations on all issues. [47800/08]

Create an Annual Women's Sports Award Scheme. [47801/08]

The Women in Sport Programme has received significant Government funding since it was launched in 2005. Through the Women in Sport programme, the Government supports the work of the Irish Sports Council in encouraging women — young and old alike — to become involved in sport as participants, players, officials and administrators.

All LSP staff are fully aware of the need to involve more women and girls in sport and dedicated funding has been made available to operate innovative projects at LSP level to encourage more females into becoming active. In light of the level of funding made available to LSPs it would not be possible to appoint Women in Sport officers in all 33 sites. However, LSPs do work closely with the Women in Sport officers that have been appointed by NGBs such as Special Olympics, Badminton, FAI and IRFU.

An officer of the ISC is assigned to looking after all aspects of the Women in Sport Programme. This is not the sole responsibility of this person but all areas of the WIS Programme are under their remit.

Representatives of the ISC have attended international conferences on Women in Sport where examples of best practice were discussed. From this year the ISC will co-sponsor the Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year awards.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 800: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to complete, in conjunction with the local sports partnerships, a national audit of local sports facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47777/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 801: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to put in place a long-term strategic plan to ensure the development of necessary local facilities here, followed by a yearly monitoring of improvements delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47778/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 808: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to ensure accessibility as a key component in the provision of sports and recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47786/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 809: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to further develop the Sports Campus Ireland development at Abbotstown, incorporating the Irish Institute of Sport, and including the development of a new 25,000 seater stadium to accommodate athletics and field sports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47787/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 810: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to provide a national stadium at Lansdowne Road in order that the national rugby and soccer teams have a first rate facility in which to play their games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47788/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 811: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to support elite athletes in preparation for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and develop proposals for Ireland to be used as a base for other national teams in advance of the London games in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47789/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 812: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to continue with the implementation of effective and modern anti-doping programmes here, which have earned recognition internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47790/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 821: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment to recognise the importance of volunteerism in the promotion of sport through the expansion of the volunteer awards scheme for persons in sport here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47802/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 800, 801, 808 to 810, inclusive, 811, 812 and 821 together.

Complete, in conjunction with the local sports partnerships, a national audit of local sports facilities. [47777/08]

Put in place a long-term strategic plan to ensure the development of necessary local facilities here, followed by a yearly monitoring of improvements delivered. [47778/08]

Ensure accessibility as a key component in the provision of sports and recreational facilities. [47786/08]

The nationwide audit of sports facilities 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, commenced in 2008 with the assistance of Local Authorities.

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 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.

The issue of strengthening the requirements of accessibility in the provision of sports and recreational facilities will be addressed in the context of the National Sports Facilities Strategy and in future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department. — Further develop the Sports Campus Ireland development at Abbotstown, incorporating the Irish Institute of Sport, and including the development of a new 25,000 seater stadium to accommodate athletics and field sports. [47787/08]

During 2008, work was advanced on providing a headquarters for the Irish Institute of Sport. This involves refurbishing an existing building on the Abbotstown site. Construction has now commenced and the Irish Institute of Sport is expected to move into its new HQ during 2009. Following the appointment by the NSCDA last year of Project Management and Design Teams, detailed plans for Phase One of the Campus have been brought to an advanced stage of preparedness and with a view to an application for Planning Permission being made at an early juncture.

The facilities planned for the first phase of the project include:

A National Field Sports Training Centre catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey;

A multi-sport National Indoor Training Centre which will provide world class training facilities for over 20 sports;

Sports science and medical facilities;

Accommodation for sports men and women; and

All-weather synthetic pitches for community recreational access.

The facilities being provided in Phase 1 do not include a 25,000-seater stadium. Any proposal to include such a facility will be considered in the context of later phases of the Campus project. The progression of the project is contingent on economic conditions and the prevailing public finances. Accordingly I am reviewing with the NSCDA how best to advance the campus project.

Provide a national stadium at Lansdowne Road in order that the national rugby and soccer teams have a first rate facility in which to play their games. [47788/08]

The development of the new stadium at Lansdowne Road is continuing to proceed satisfactorily. As of end 2008, €185 million of the Government grant of €191 million has been invested in the project. I am pleased to say that the project is on schedule for completion during 2010. I continue to be most impressed by the rate of progress being made on the construction and am looking forward to the opening of what will be an excellent sports facility during 2010.

Support elite athletes in preparation for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and develop proposals for Ireland to be used as a base for other national teams in advance of the London games in 2012. [47789/08]

The Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, has statutory responsibility for encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive sport and the achievement of excellence in competitive sport. In this regard the ISC works in partnership with the Irish Institute of Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Paralympic Council of Ireland and the relevant national governing bodies of sport in the preparation of Irish athletes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The ISC established a review group to examine the preparations and performances at the 2008 Beijing Games in order to prepare for the 2012 London Games. The overall aim of the review is to make recommendations to the ISC in respect of structures, programmes and investment policy which should be pursued based on the outcomes of the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I understand that the review will be completed shortly.

I have met with a number of the key stakeholders involved in the support of our elite athletes to discuss how we can best build on the success we had in Beijing and the supports required in terms of coaching, programmes, facilities and funding to ensure the optimum performance of Irish athletes at the London 2012. It is my intention that the issues arising from these meetings will dovetail with the review being carried out by the ISC.

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from our proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012. The Task Force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff within my Department.

The Task Force report makes a number of recommendations arising from an audit carried out of high quality sports facilities in Ireland and the findings of a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The report highlights the opportunities for Ireland from the London 2012 Games in the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors. On the sporting side the report puts forward proposals for investment in sports facilities which would increase our attractiveness as a training destination for Olympic teams in the lead up and during the games. I understand that enquiries have already been made about the availability of sports facilities here for some Olympic teams.

I am considering the implementation of the recommendations of the London 2012 Task Force Report taking account of the current economic situation. I will be publishing the report shortly.

Continue with the implementation of effective and modern anti-doping programmes here, which have earned recognition internationally. [47790/08]

Ireland's national anti-doping programme is administered by the ISC. The annual funding provided by my Department to the ISC includes funding to enable the ISC to meet its statutory function to combat doping in sport. In supporting sport the Government insists that it must be based on fair and ethical principles. The ISC has put in place a comprehensive and effective Anti-Doping Programme, one that the Government strongly endorses and which is recognised internationally as an outstanding model of its type. Ireland also contributes to the international efforts against drugs in sport through our support for the Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping, the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention, WADA — the World Anti-Doping Agency and the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport.

Recognise the importance of volunteerism in the promotion of sport through the expansion of the volunteer awards scheme for persons in sport here. [47802/08]

The first programme of National Awards to Volunteers in Sport was successfully held in 2007. The Awards recognises and encourages the work of volunteers and reaches out to potential new volunteers. Any further phases of the Awards programme will be subject to available resources.