AQW 11276/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities whether his Department will provide financial support for the creation and maintenance of athletics facilities.
Asked by Eóin Tennyson MLA on 2 May 2024
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 2 May 2024
- Answer due by
- 20 May 2024
- Answered
- 5 June 202434 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Article 10 of The Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 records the responsibility of provision for facilities for recreation, social, physical and cultural activities with the district council, therefore, this is initially a matter for the relevant Local Authorities.
At this time there are no current programmes within my Department to which an application could be made for the creation and maintenance of athletics facilities.
This is also an operational issue for Sport NI and I have sought information from the Chief Executive regarding financial support for athletics and he has advised:
“Sport NI, through its Multi Facility Fund programme, is currently working with Mid Ulster District Council to develop an eight-lane athletics track and 3G synthetic pitch infill at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena. MUDC has submitted a planning application and a planning decision is expected this summer. Thereafter work will continue to procure an Integrated Supply Team. Sport NI is also working on a Sports Infrastructure Review and will be using this to better understand the existing facilities and needs for the sector. Engagement with sports (including Athletics NI) will be part of this review which will shape future investment plans.
Sport NI have provided the following investment over the previous five financial periods:
£100,000 in Athletics facilities
£92,868.00 in support of Athletics clubs and projects
£1,581,354.00 for Athletics NI
£480,000 awarded to Athletics NI for FY24-25”
Due to the volume of the information, I have arranged for a breakdown of the awards provided by Sport NI to be placed in the Assembly Library.
For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact Sport NI directly. Making direct contact with Sport NI will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.