John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

All applications for funding received under the 2006 sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, will be considered in accordance with the various requirements and assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. Primary and post-primary schools wishing to be considered for funding under the programme may only apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must meet other conditions, including a requirement that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility, at least 30 hours a week throughout the year, when it is not being used by the school. Any sports facility proposed for funding by a sporting organisation and which would be located within school grounds would have to meet these same conditions.

To encourage full use of facilities funded, applications for funding are requested to indicate the extent to which they have consulted with other clubs and organisations in the community, including schools. A commitment from schools that they will utilise the intended facility would be important and would increase the project's assessment score. Any such applications received this year will be considered and assessed on that basis.

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