Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be another round of sports capital grants in 2015. [36662/14]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Under the sports capital programme, SPC, funding is provided to voluntary, sporting and community organisations for the provision of sports and recreational facilities.

I was delighted to announce €31 million in provisional allocations under the 2012 round of the sports capital programme. The Deputy will be aware that this had been the first round of the programme since 2008. The 2012 round of the programme attracted a record number of 2,170 applications. With such high demand, it was never going to be possible to fund all applications.

I was pleased, therefore, to press ahead with a new round of the sports capital programme in 2014. Some 2,036 applications were received under the 2014 SCP, the second highest number ever received, illustrating the continuing demand and need for investment in sporting facilities. In July, I announced provisional allocations totalling €40.5 million. A total of 821 of the provisional allocations were towards local sports clubs and organisations, with the remaining 59 provisionally allocated to regional or national projects.

No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the sports capital programme.

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, on all the work he has done in his area, particularly with the sports capital grants programme. Am I to take it that it is his aspiration to have another round of sports capital grants? If so, and if it is a matter of having to reduce the budget, it would still be possible to bring a sports capital grants programme for next year with a reduced budget if one were to perhaps exclude some of the larger sporting organisations and focus only on the smaller, less popular sports. A little funding for a sport that does not require a significant amount makes a big difference, for example, a rowing club. I have received feedback from some in Dublin which were successful on the last occasion.

It is important, if we are to go with a round in 2015, that if that is possible from a budgetary point of view we should go early. On the timing previously, while the grant is welcome, some clubs would appreciate receiving the funding early in the year so that they can get the infrastructure built in advance of the summer season when their particular sport might be played more.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I really hope there will be a further round of sports capital funding. The Deputy is quite correct to note that no such programme operated between 2008 and 2012, which put a lot of pressure on small voluntary groups nationwide. The Deputy also is correct that the provision of small amounts of funding to small clubs has worked well. The Government does not get any recognition for the larger funding amounts, but the smaller organisations are extremely thankful for the funding they receive as it puts in place highly valued facilities for them. I hope the Deputy and my colleagues, as well as the two Ministers who are present, will support me in this regard. I already have spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and am hopeful that I will secure another round of sports capital funding. The last two rounds of the sports capital programme have been recognised as being positive for sports and organisations. It was the first time for many years in which there were no major rows concerning the manner in which the money was distributed. While some people consider the pro ratasystem to be unfair, I believe it to be the best way forward. When the Government and I allocate this funding, we try to spread it among sports and to make sure that the smaller organisations get an opportunity in addition to the larger organisations. I reiterate my hope that a further round of sports capital funding will be secured and I look forward to the support of the Deputy and that of our colleagues to put pressure on the Government. It is good news for sport and for participation, and I hope another round will be secured.