John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1059: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, if a club or organisation has been granted funding under the sports capital programme before it was suspended, whether there is a time limit under which funding can be drawn down. [23335/11]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Department operates a "sunset clause" which is notified to each grantee at the time the grant is provisionally allocated. This gives each grantee a period of time (typically fourteen to eighteen months) from the time the grant is allocated to complete a substantial amount of the work. The grantee is also notified at this time that the Department retains the right to withdraw the grant after this date, and without further notice, if the required conditions are not met by the grantee. A reminder letter also issues to the grantee after the "sunset clause" date is reached requesting a written update from the grantee on the status of the grant.

The Department makes every effort to assist grantees to drawing down the grant, and grants are only withdrawn with the club's consent or when it is evident to the Department that there is no realistic prospect of the grant being drawn down within the foreseeable future.