Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding an application (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the need for completion of this project and to the amount of work carried out to date by the community in association with his Department; when funding will be granted to this group to enable it to plan completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20424/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The national lottery-funded sports capital programme administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting, voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December last and the closing date for their receipt was 4 February 2005.

A total of 1,362 applications were received before the deadline, including one from the organisation in question, all of which are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria. The criteria are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce grant allocations under the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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While I thank the Minister for his reply, I had hoped for a more specific answer. I accept he is still reviewing the applications. Ballycroy is a Mayo village which has suffered very heavily from depopulation to the extent that it has lost half of its people over the years. The community is fighting hard to come back and has done trojan work to reclaim from a bog a sports pitch that has been rolled and seeded. The community is a great tribute to the country. The work needs to be completed and while the community has done its best to raise funds, further help is required.

Essential off-pitch facilities require plumbing for toilets and electrical and carpentry work. I will give the Minister an idea of how essential is the work. I attended the recent sad occasion of the death of the referee Mr. John Mulligan, to whose commitment to the GAA and hard work over the years I pay tribute. While Mr. Mulligan's passing was inevitable in the circumstances, it would have been better if the off-pitch facilities had been available to provide some privacy.

I hope the Minister will look favourably on the application in question. There is one toilet at the field whereas seven are needed. All sports are played in the field and I hope the Minister will support people who have done their best.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I remind Deputy Cowley that Ballycroy field management was allocated a grant of €30,000 under the 2002 sports capital programme to help fund the construction of a multi-purpose sports area, clubhouse and installation of floodlighting.

The grant was fully paid early in 2004. It applied unsuccessfully under the 2004 programme and I understand it has made a new application under the 2005 programme which is or will be measured against the criteria in the Department and assessed. I understand the estimate of the cost of the new works is €99,600 and that the amount sought is €71,680.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for that. I invite him to see the wonderful work that has been done for the little funding that was received.

Another application in my area concerns Bangor Erris where wonderful work has been done by the Bangor Hibs football club. I hope the Minister will look at its application.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Ring suggested this morning that I am seen more often in his constituency than in the House. I will be in Ballinrobe next Tuesday night and if I have no winner after the first three races we will drop out and have a look at the place. In any event we will give it consideration.