§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in relation to the establishment of a new sports ground development programme; and if he will make a statement. [178524]
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§ Angela SmithThe establishment of the new Sports Grounds Development Programme is a matter for the Sports Council for Northern Ireland which is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding. I can confirm that the Sports Council recently completed risk assessment exercises in relation to the new programme and is now implementing the recommendations of these. It has also recently concluded discussions on proposals for taking forward the programme with the governing bodies of those sports identified as of the highest priority from its risk assessments. The Sports Council is considering the outcome of these discussions and the new programme is expected to be launched in the near future.