Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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8. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the sports capital grant scheme is an annual funding scheme; the reason there was no funding round in 2019; if the funding rounds will be opened in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27683/20]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I believe Deputy Andrews is introducing Question No. 8.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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We are all aware of the importance of sports capital grants. Will the Minister of State clarify if the sports capital grant scheme is an annual funding scheme, set out why there was no funding in 2019, tell the House whether funding rounds will be opened in 2020 and 2021 and make a statement on the matter?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The sports capital programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 12,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocation since that time to close to €1 billion. The programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland, with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in virtually every village, town and city in the country.

The programme for Government commits to continuing the sports capital programme and prioritising the investment in disadvantaged areas. The most recent round of sports capital grants in 2018 attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year, with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. All unsuccessful applications were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. On the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed in April with six new allocations approved. The priority in the short to medium term is to advance all of these projects to ensure the facilities are available for use and the relevant grants are drawn down. In this regard, work has been ongoing to advance previously allocated grants, with over €20 million paid out to 800 different sports clubs and groups so far this year.

To deal with the Deputy’s specific question on future rounds of the programme, a full review of the 2018 round of the sports capital programme has now been completed. The terms and conditions of the next round of the programme are being finalised based on the recommendations of the review. I expect that to open shortly. We are committed to a sports capital programme opening for applications over the coming period. The review has been completed and we are finalising the process and application criteria. There is a commitment to do that. The programme for Government is strong on the sports capital projects and their importance for all our local communities.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State. I agree that the sports capital grants scheme transforms participation in sporting clubs across the country. Due to the gap in 2019, clubs are in severe need of funding to rejuvenate their facilities. As they have no or very limited fundraising capacity but still have ongoing expenses, the clubs greatly need this injection.

In the context of pay equality and the 20x20 campaign, will the Minister of State consider weighting the sports capital grant allocation to ensure there will be greater support for female participation? That is something he might consider.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As I referred to earlier, we are committed to ensuring that we have equality action plans across all the governing bodies. The review, which is being concluded, is examining many criteria around the previous plan. That will be updated in the next round but I take the Deputy's point on that.

The programme for Government states that we will prioritise sports capital investment in areas of historic low levels of participation and deprivation. Where there is a participation gap on a gender basis that is an important pillar for all of us who want to fund sport. We need to see any gap in participation addressed.

Preparations are well advanced for the next round of the programme, with testing of the IT system in the new Department under way. On the guide to making an application, the terms and conditions of the programme are being finalised and will be submitted shortly. We are hopeful that the applications will open in the coming period. There will be the usual deadline and engagement around workshops with different clubs across the country but we are anxious to support sport. There is an important stimulus element of this in terms of the capital injection we provide for communities. I hope that provides an update on it.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State. I want to underline the request to have the sports capital grant scheme weighted in support of female participation, which I believe would be very welcome as it is much-needed. Is there a commitment on the 2021 sports capital grant? Will it be another gap year? There will be many clubs in need, even next year.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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On the first point, having had the review we are finalising the criteria. That will be published when we finalise the weighting that will be attached to many different but important areas.

The sports capital programme, and its continuity, is committed to in the programme for Government. We are engaged in budgetary discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and we will be able to provide full details on next year in the aftermath of the budgetary process. We are anxious to see sport, and investment in sport, continue. That is specifically referenced in the programme for Government. I am aware there were previous occasions where there were large gaps between previous allocations and a new grant scheme and we have to continue to roll it over to support projects. Not every club is ready to apply right now and might not have everything ready for now. We have to give hope to communities that there will be future programmes and that is what we are anxious to do in the context of the budgetary process.