SPORTS GRANT: John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, yesterday announced a further €10.2 million to 21 key sports projects under the 2004 Sports Capital Programme.

The allocations include €5.8 million to eight multi-sport centres and €1.75 million for the development of national centres for rowing, hockey and golf.

A total of €1.05 million has been made available to five GAA county grounds, €800,000 is being allocated to three FAI regional soccer development centres and €800,000 goes to two provincial rugby centres.

These figures are in addition to the €50.8 million already allocated this year to 717 other sports capital projects.

The 21 projects currently funded are national, regional and municipal ones that are seen as contributing significantly to the national and regional sporting infrastructure needed for increasing participation and improving standards.

Announcing the allocations, the Minister said the total allocated so far under this year's Sports Capital Programme was €61 million in respect of 738 projects.

"These allocations give very real, practical effect to the commitment made in the Agreed Programme for Government that we will continue to invest in sports facilities around the country," he said, adding the investment was yielding an excellent network of facilities for all levels of sport in Ireland.

"It is providing a framework on which the delivery and implementation of national sports policy can be built, covering the three main pillars of our sports strategy: participation, performance and excellence," he added.

O'Donoghue said almost €331 million has now been allocated by this and the previous Government under the Sports Capital Programme.

This covers 4,271 projects not only in cities and towns but in virtually every parish and village in Ireland.

This, he added, was "clear evidence of the Government's continuing commitment to the development of sporting facilities".