AQW 36167/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 18/09/2014
Answered On Date: 01/10/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the measures taken by her Department to achieve the ‘Sport Matters’ commitment to ensure that 90 per cent of the population are within twenty minutes of quality accredited, multi sports facilities.

Answer:

Sport Matters aims to achieve 90% of the population in the north accessing quality accredited, multi-sport facilities by 2019. In 2013, a review indicated a level of 73% assessed against a baseline of 65% in 2007.

My Department, through Sport NI is delivering significant investments to assist with achieving the target including a Community Capital Programme investment of £10,427,075 in over 46 capital projects. They aim to invest a further £17.5m of Lottery funding over a five year period.

Sport NI’s Report, ‘Bridging the Gap’ encouraged the strategic development of sports facilities and bodies including District Councils and Universities, have used this to prioritise investment. SportNI also developed Active Places NI, a comprehensive database of sports facilities. They are currently working in partnership with Councils to deliver a Sports Facilities Strategy and 11 District Council Area Reports. The Strategy and Reports will provide a framework for the strategic delivery of sports facilities throughout the north.

Sport NI and the Department of Education have recently worked in partnership to publish the guidance toolkit Your School/Your Club to encourage the creation of multi-sport hubs within the school estate for use outside of school hours.

In developing the quality of facilities, Sport NI has invested significant financial and other resources into the development of a number of quality accreditation schemes.