Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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556. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a database available to his Department of 3G pitches in use here. [31544/16]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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557. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the standards attached to grants provided by his Department for the provision of 3G pitches; and if, in particular, any standards relate to the types of recycled material that may be used in the manufacture of such pitches. [31545/16]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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558. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to ensure that 3G pitches in use here are safe; and the way he proposes to respond to concerns that some pitches may contain carcinogens arising from the types of material used in the manufacture of such pitches. [31546/16]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 to 558, inclusive, together.

While my Department has details of all grants that have been allocated under the Sports Capital Programme, it does not have a database of all 3G pitches as many may have been developed without grant assistance from my Department.

I understand that concerns have recently been raised in relation to the safety of materials used in 3G pitches.  While my Department does not have any responsibility for the setting of standards for 3g pitches, I have asked my officials to inquire with relevant bodies dealing with the regulation of recycled waste as well as the safe use of chemicals.  I have asked my officials to monitor developments in the context of future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.