Written answers

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Sports Capital Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will reopen the Sports Capital Programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that building tender costs are down 40% in most cases and developments should go ahead at a greatly reduced cost, which would help to provide construction employment; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that many facilities are required to provide somewhere for young and unemployed people to exercise or socialise to prevent anti-social behaviour and to combat potential health problems of a physical and mental state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.

Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.

This investment is evidence of the importance that this Government places on sport. Sports facilities that are well-planned, built and managed have the ability to act as focal points for a community and allow more people to get involved in healthy activities. Participation in sport is important for many reasons. For individuals, participation has health benefits, builds confidence and gives people a sense of their worth. For society as a whole, sport can reduce anti-social behaviour while sporting success has the ability to lift the spirits of whole counties and even the whole country.

€56 million has been provided in my Department's Vote in 2009 out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. I expect that all of this funding will be drawn down by grantees by the end of year. It can be expected that many of the grantees drawing down this funding are benefiting from the reduction in construction costs this year.

No decision has been taken on the next round of the Programme.

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