§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance was given to the promotion of youth development programmes in Northern Ireland football during 2003. [165996]
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§ Angela SmithThe amount of financial assistance that was given to the promotion of youth development programmes in Northern Ireland during 2003 was £903,768. This amount was provided via the Departments of Culture Arts and Leisure, Finance and Personnel, Enterprise Trade and Investment and Social Development. The figures include £804,995 from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure for the 2003–04 financial year.
§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further developments have been made in relation to the agreement reached regarding the assistance offered to the Irish Football Association to develop football in Northern Ireland. [169934]
§ Angela SmithDiscussions are ongoing between my officials, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI), the Irish Football Association (IFA) and the Irish Football League (IFL) about arrangements for the provision of DCAL assistance offered to the IFA to develop football in Northern Ireland. In addition, I have approved the terms of reference for a SCNI-led Soccer Strategy Implementation Group, the membership of which will include senior representatives of the IFA. Steps are also being taken to arrange a first meeting of this group.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to promote youth football in Northern Ireland. [168470]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) has made available, via the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, £1.6 million for the promotion of youth football in Northern Ireland. Under this programme, 25 youth Football Development Centres, based at clubs, have been established across Northern Ireland. In addition, youth football is one of the key components of the soccer strategy initiative.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether measures to promote youth football in Northern Ireland are dependent on the implementation of the soccer strategy. [168472]
§ Angela SmithCurrent measures supported by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, to promote youth football in Northern Ireland are not dependent on the implementation of the Soccer Strategy. The development of youth football in the future will be closely linked to the successful implementation of the Soccer Strategy process.