Country bottom of table on sports facilities spending
Ireland has the lowest level of spending on sports and cultural facilities in Europe, it emerged tonight.
The Labour Party said the Government had to increase investment following the damning verdict in the latest report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
“When the Government cannot even provide for proper funding for recreational and cultural facilities it is little wonder that young people complain of having little to do and we are threatened by an obesity epidemic,” said Senator Derek McDowell.
The 2006 OCED factbook rated Ireland bottom of the league for combined government and household spending on recreation and culture.
Government spending in the area was the fourth lowest out of the 23 OECD member countries.
Mr McDowell said the lack of investment was seriously undermining communities up and down the country.
“In my own constituency for instance, the only public swimming pool in the area has announced that it is to close its doors and there are no plans in place to replace it. Hundreds of people will be affected.
“Local soccer clubs are forced to change at the side of the road as their efforts to get funding for proper changing facilities fall on deaf ears.”
He said the current system of local clubs pestering the Government for whatever ’measly grants’ were available had to change.
