Inquiry concerning the construction of indoor football arenas (No. 498)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-02-05 19:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 11
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 8m
AI Summaries: 11/11 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned Interpellation No. 498, submitted by members of the Riigikogu on May 15, 2023, regarding the construction of football halls. Interpellator Jaanus Karilaid noted that although the Minister of Culture seemed lukewarm about the project when the interpellation was filed, the program has actually moved forward but has stalled for certain reasons. Minister of Culture Heidy Purga confirmed that the state is continuing with the football hall project, under which 20 million euros were allocated between 2020 and 2023 for the establishment of 12 full-sized halls. Halls have been completed in Haapsalu, Viljandi, Rapla, Tartu, and Pärnu, and construction work is currently underway in several other municipalities. The Minister explained that the project stalled due to the rising costs of construction and energy prices in 2021–2022, which led several municipalities (such as Jõhvi and Jõgeva) to pause or abandon their projects because of difficulties with self-financing. The Ministry extended the deadline for the use of funds until the end of 2024 to give the municipalities an opportunity to complete the construction work. Anti Poolamets and Arvo Aller raised the question of increasing the percentage of support to assist poorer municipalities, especially Jõhvi, where the need for a hall is significant. The Minister responded that the current funding round concludes in 2024, and creating new conditions would necessitate a new project and a discussion of the budget strategy. Currently, the topic of football halls is not scheduled for separate discussion, but it will be addressed alongside other sports infrastructure investment needs.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The third item on the agenda is the discussion of interpellation No. 498, submitted on May 15, 2023, by Riigikogu members Jaanus Karilaid, Ester Karuse, Andre Hanimäe, Tanel Kiik, and Jüri Ratas, concerning the construction of football halls. The rapporteur for this item is Jaanus Karilaid.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid stated that the interpellation was handed over on May 15th. Although the Minister of Culture was initially known to be rather indifferent regarding the football hall projects, it is now clear that the program will move forward. However, it has run into difficulties, and they are seeking answers from the Minister of Culture as to why this occurred.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the assembly and invites the Minister of Culture, Heidy Purga, to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
State budget support for building football halls will continue, but several local municipalities have either paused or abandoned their projects. Furthermore, there is no funding or planned initiative for Hiiumaa, Võrumaa, Valgamaa, Põlvamaa, and Jõgeva in the coming years. Consequently, the current focus is on completing the existing halls that are already under construction with state support, and the initiative will be resumed in the future if necessary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanked him and asked Anti Poolamets to pose one question.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets is calling for the project conditions to be adjusted so that at least 50–75% of the potential construction of the hall can be realized. This is to ensure that poorer local governments do not simply find themselves in distress due to high construction prices.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
Purga stated that due to the rising cost of construction, the support allocated for 2021–2022 remained largely unused, and local governments returned those funds to the state budget at the end of 2022. The 2023 funds must be used by the end of 2024 to enable the continuation of construction. The ministry is monitoring the process, and the financing for the football halls will be finalized this year. If necessary, the topic can be addressed in a different context, but not within the framework of the same project.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is simply a request to call Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jõhvi withdrew from financing the football hall for pragmatic reasons, as the procurement cost increased 3.5 times, and they were unable to secure additional funds or extend the deadline. The money was distributed to others, with Saaremaa and a few others receiving the lion's share. However, the hall is necessary, and all preparatory work has been completed. Now, he/she asks whether further funding for this project has been planned in the state budget strategy and whether it will be strongly advocated in the government, given that it is regionally very important.
Kultuuriminister Heidy Purga
AI Summary
Currently, the Ministry of Culture is dealing with numerous issues related to sports infrastructure investments. These will likely be discussed in conjunction with other investment needs, and based on the information available right now, they do not plan to address the football topic immediately.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that everything was clear, there were no questions for the minister, no debate would take place, and the agenda item was concluded for the day.