Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 107: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timeframe for receiving reports from the remaining local authorities regarding the National Audit of Sports Facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16348/09]

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

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 the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Local Authorities. My Department has to date received 20 completed returns and reminders have been sent to the Local Authorities who had not submitted their returns by the end of January closing date.

The audit is part of a wider exercise to put in place a more strategic approach to the provision of sports facilities in Ireland. 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.