Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These questions relate to this year's sports capital programme and any future such programmes. The question is whether there should be changes to the taxation regime to support sporting organisations and clubs. The sports capital programme is an area delegated to the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. Deputies will be aware that the Department has received 2,170 applications for funding under the 2012 sports capital programme, seeking €229 million in funding for projects with a total value of €374 million. This is the largest number of applications ever received under the programme. I have approval from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to allocate €30 million. I believe this shows the value the Government places on sport. Approximately €26 million of this amount has been earmarked for local projects, including community sports clubs and organisations. Departmental officials are processing all applications and this process is almost complete. I expect to be able to announce the list of successful applicants later this year.

The Government has also committed to a further programme during its lifetime. When the current programme is finished, with the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, I will examine the successes and failures of the current round of applications. As the 2012 process is unfolding, one aspect of particular concern to me and the Minister of State is the high number of ineligible applications. In some counties assessed to date the majority of applications have been ineligible. In designing the next scheme we will need to take account of that. I note that the Irish Sports Council's sport monitor report for 2011 shows that active participation in sport increased from 34% in 2009 to 46% in 2011 among adults. The 2012 sports capital grants will improve facilities in every county and provide increased opportunities for more people to engage in sport to the best of their ability.

With regard to wider supports for sporting organisations, the Deputies may be aware that the Revenue Commissioners have a scheme that provides tax relief for donations to certain sports bodies. It is important that sporting organisations can secure alternative sources of investment, including private donations. The current tax relief scheme for donations to sporting organisations is restrictive because it applies only to donations for capital purposes. Taxation issues, including the amendment or introduction of tax relief schemes, are a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, I wrote to the Minister for Finance in October outlining possible amendments to existing tax relief schemes which would allow relief for non-capital donations to sporting organisations as well.

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