Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which grants towards the provision of various sporting facilities here are likely to increase or decrease in the course of 2009; the extent to which this is in line with the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9032/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 292: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his policy for the development of sporting and recreational facilities in 2009 with particular reference to expenditure; the way this compares with 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9038/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 292 together.

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998, over €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects across the country.

As I announced in the House recently, no decision has been taken about the timing of future rounds of the Programme. My Department is currently finalising a five-year strategic plan to inform the future development of necessary sporting facilities throughout the country. The aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. The strategy also identifies the wider economic, health and social case for continued investment in sports facilities. It aims to prioritise areas for future investment and to ensure continued impact in the relevant areas including those in lower socioeconomic groups. The National Sports Facilities Strategy will address future sports facility funding and provision and will inform future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.

In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's vote to cover payments to be made this year from the C-1 sub-head, out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation. Expenditure under this sub-head amounted to €63.7m in 2007 and €60.1m in 2008.