asked the Minister for Education the criteria used for the selection of the location of regional sports centres; and when the location of the north eastern regional sports centre will be announced.

The designation of Cork, Galway, Limerick, Athlone, Sligo and Waterford as locations for regional sports centres was decided in the interests of achieving a suitable geographical distribution of major facilities to complement the National Sports Centre in Dublin. While no such centre is planned for the north east, Dundalk has been designated as a location for the development of a local centre. That has already been announced. A unique development is taking place this year as a result of the Government's decision to make a three-year commitment to the funding of all those regional and local sports centres.