Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We hope to have dealt with invalid cases by early summer. The window anticipated for correction of documents is two to three weeks. We would otherwise have a prolonged application and processing period. We will try to be as swift as possible with that element of the process. The Minister and I were very keen to introduce the large-scale sporting infrastructure fund. Our Department is frequently approached with requests for funding greater than that provided for in the traditional sports capital programme. We are glad to state we have secured capital funding for the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. We are currently receiving applications. The deadline is 17 April and we will start processing the applications received after that.

Initial feedback from officials in the Department indicates that scheme is going to be heavily oversubscribed. It is traditionally a feature of the regular sports capital programme that demand, unfortunately, far outstrips the funding available. We will, however, try to be as fair as possible to the applicants and as strategic as possible in the allocation of funding. We know there is pent up demand given the difficult period we are still arising from and the lack of investment that resulted from the economic crash. We will try to be as fast as possible in freeing up the finance for what we know are very necessary sporting infrastructure projects all over the country.

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