Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the provision of a sports grant from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in respect of the village of Golden, County Tipperary, where I reside.

I was reluctant to raise this matter by way of the Adjournment. I will, however, outline the background to it for the Minister of State. I wish to express my disappointment with regard to the lack of funding for a project that has the support of the entire community. More than two years ago, the local hall in which meetings and various sporting activities were held, was demolished because the local authority stated it was unfit for use and that insurance could not be obtained in respect of it. At that time, the parish had run a lottery which yielded €1,000 per week. In the interim, approximately €380,000 has been accumulated by way of lottery and other fund-raising activities.

Proposals in respect of the project were put to the Department on four different occasions. An application is currently with the Department in which it is proposed to build a new hall and sports centre that will accommodate the GAA and camogie clubs, the parish council and every other organisation within the parish. Those in the parish were devastated last year when they discovered the project was not being funded by the Department. They lobbied various Ministers and deputations met the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on three occasions. They were promised on each occasion that the money would be provided. On their behalf, I wish to state that they were not merely disappointed but devastated that national lottery funding in respect of their proposal has not been forthcoming. The most recent proposal was altered to bring it into line with the guidelines.

I accept the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, does not have direct responsibility in this area. However, I want him to relay what I am saying in respect of this project to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. It is of great importance to the community in this growing rural area. Members observe week after week in this House that rural Ireland is thriving. This project is an integral aspect of community life in the parish of Golden, County Tipperary, but the Government has let the community down. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to relate my views to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. I was reluctant to raise the issue by this means but there does not seem to be any other way of putting pressure on the Minister to ensure the entitlements of this community.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, on whose behalf I thank the Deputy for raising it. The Department's sports capital programme is an important element in ensuring the adequate provision of high-quality sports facilities to cater for the various requirements of governing bodies, clubs and local community sports organisations. Under the programme, grants are allocated to sporting, voluntary and community organisations for the provision of sports and recreational facilities and equipment. Through sports capital funding, the Government has provided unprecedented levels of funding for sport and its infrastructure. Since 1998, a total of 5,755 such projects have benefited from more than €472 million in grant allocations.

On applying for a grant, all applicants are issued with the guidelines, terms and conditions applying to the programme to ensure they are fully aware of all the requirements. All applications are assessed on an individual basis by the Department in accordance with a detailed set of assessment criteria, as specified in the guidelines, terms and conditions. The assessment process takes into account factors such as the existing level of facilities in an area, the number and quality of the applications received, the amount of funding being sought by each applicant, the strategic positioning of major facilities that may be required and the most recent census figures. Every effort is made to achieve a balanced geographical spread of funds throughout the country, while also affording priority to projects in areas of social and economic disadvantage.

Specific criteria used in assessing applications include a consideration of whether the project aims to increase active participation in sport or improve standards of sports performance in line with clearly stated targets. Applicants should show how the funding will measure these increases or improvements. In particular, facilities that help promote and enhance female participation in sport will be prioritised. Priority will also be given to projects which meet a need for sporting facilities in disadvantaged areas.

The availability of evidence of title to the project site, planning permission applied for or in place, drawings or specifications for the project and accurate costings for each element will also be of benefit to the applicants. In addition, consideration will be given to whether the project is realistic in terms of scale, costs and grant assistance sought. The club or organisation in question should be able to demonstrate a capacity to raise its contribution towards the cost so as to allow the project to be finished within a realistic timeframe. Another factor to be considered is whether the project promoters can demonstrate the availability of an income stream to maintain the building when completed.

The Department will assess whether the project has a high priority in regard to the applicant's existing facilities and whether there are similar sporting facilities already available in the area. The application should include details and evidence of consultation with other clubs, community groups, schools and the local authority, especially those who will use the facility. In addition, the application should clearly explain how the applicant will attract socially excluded people to use the facility. In respect of projects at regional and national level, the Department will also consider whether the project fits in with the priorities for the relevant sport as identified by its national governing body.

Highest priority is afforded to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation. High-priority projects include those which are essential or integral to sports participation or performance, including pitch development, floodlighting, changing rooms and showers. At the end of the assessment process, each application is given its order of priority within its own county. Every effort is made to achieve a balanced geographical spread of funds throughout the country.

In the case of unsuccessful applications, the Department writes to the applicants concerned, enclosing a copy of their assessment and explaining why they were unsuccessful on that particular occasion. This information can act as guidance to organisations in the submission of future applications for support under the programme. It is open to the groups in Golden to reapply for funding under the programme once they meet certain minimum qualifying conditions as set out in the published terms and conditions of the programme.

The 2007 round of the sports capital programme was advertised on 16 and 17 October last, with a closing date of 24 November 2006 for receipt of applications. The Minister is satisfied that all applications received, including those from Golden, have been treated fairly and in accordance with the published requirements and assessment criteria. The Deputy can be assured that any further applications received from those groups will be considered in the same fashion.

Finally, it will be of interest to the Deputy that Golden-Kilfeacle GAA club received a grant in 2000. Kilfeacle and District Rugby Club received grants in 2004 and 2005, as did Kilfeacle Community Association in 2000 and in 2002. County Tipperary has been allocated more than €15.3 million since 1998, with 229 clubs and groups benefiting from the funding provided under the sports capital programme. I will ensure the Minister is aware of the points raised by Deputy Hayes.