Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the sports capital programme; if additional funding has been secured for the 2022 scheme; when it is expected that an outcome will be announced to the 2022 programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2423/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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95. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the sports capital funding allocation will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1777/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when allocations under the 2020 the sports capital and equipment programme will be made. [1746/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional funds will be allocated towards the current sports capital programme to help increase the number of successful applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2412/22]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when funding will be allocated under the sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1776/22]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I wish to ask the Minister of State if he will report on the sports capital programme, if additional funding has been secured for the 2022 scheme, when it is expected that an outcome will be announced for the 2022 programme and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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No pressure at all with this question.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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It is of interest to many people. I thank Deputy Carey. I propose to take Question Nos. 73, 95, 103, 123 and 131 together.

The sports capital and equipment programme is the primary vehicle for the Government's support for the development of sports and recreational facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocation to over €1 billion. On 30 November, we announced a new round of the programme with at least €40 million available. The original closing date was 12 February 2021 but in view of the difficulties some applicants were encountering as a result of Covid restrictions, the deadline was extended to 1 March 2021. By the closing date, there were over 3,000 applications with an ask of over €200 million in funding. This is highest number of applications ever received.

A scoring system and assessment procedures were finalised and published prior to assessment and all applications have been assessed in accordance with these procedures. Approximately 1,000 of the submitted applications were for equipment-only grants. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August 2021.

Regarding funding available to allocate, I am pleased that following the completion of the 2022 budget discussions, a significant amount has been provided for the sports capital equipment programme in 2022, which represents an increase on the 2021 allocation. In the Revised Estimates, over €6 million has been carried forward from 2021. This will cover all existing applications under older rounds of the programme but will also allow for significant new allocations in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I am in discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, regarding maximising the total funding envelope available for the programme and I expect to conclude that process very shortly.

Every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible, while providing a sufficient level of grants to ensure that projects are viable. Regarding the funding available to allocate, as I said there is a carryover from last year and that will assist us in the total envelope that is available. All unsuccessful applicants will also be given the opportunity to appeal the decision of the Department and information in that regard will be issued when the grants are announced. We expect to conclude the overall process very shortly.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I commend the Minister and, in particular, the Minister of State on their work on sport.

I acknowledge the positive outcome to the equipment-only grants, from which many clubs in Clare and across the country benefited. Last November, I asked the Minister of State about this subject. I am aware of the request for €200 million. At that point he was not in the position to outline what would be the net request of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I ask him to confirm what that net request is. There is a great sense of anticipation among clubs waiting for an outcome to this process. When is he likely to make that announcement? I commend him on his work in this area.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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It is 416 days since the project was announced. We need some indication of the available funding and possible timeline through to allocation because there is considerable anxiety out there. On average, clubs across the country have sought approximately €67,000, some of them substantially more than that.

In a High Court settlement in April of last year, €300,000 was paid in a case where a defibrillator failed to operate. This has implications for every sports club across the country. The Department needs to set out clear specifications for defibrillators and a clear process for their maintenance.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Carey has asked most of the questions I wanted to ask. I understand that the Minister of State has been inundated with requests for this year's funding. Initially we had expected a decision by October, which snowballed into December and now it looks like February at best. A number of clubs have until 27 January to furnish the Department with further details. While I will not hold him to a date, I ask him to indicate when that announcement is most likely. As previous Deputies have said, clubs are getting very anxious at this stage and they have big plans ahead of them.

I would like to ask two other quick questions.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Very briefly.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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What percentage of projects initially approved have not proceeded to full drawdown in the previous two or three years? I know the Minister of State said that €6 million was carried over from last year and that may answer that question. I ask for that detail from previous years.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Do I just have one minute to answer all that?

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will allow a little latitude.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In response to Deputy Carey's question, we are trying to maximise the amount with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. We expect it to be significantly up on the amount allocated, but I will not announce the outcome of that until we announce the grants. We have had positive discussions and that will be finalised. Regarding the date, as Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan said, we extended the submission window because of the Covid pandemic. As Deputy Naughten mentioned, it was originally opened in November. We extended it to March last year to allow clubs to submit their applications in a detailed way in order that they could get all the documentation together. Because we have received a record number of applications, we have also allowed for a second-chance submissions. Up to 20% or 30% of applications are invalid.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I must stop the Minister of State there and I will give him an additional two minutes on the last answer because he did not use up all his time.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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My understanding is that when questions are grouped the combined total is 18 minutes. Therefore, the Minister of State has three minutes.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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That is what I just said. I will let the Minister of State back on the second, the final one.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Should I come in now?

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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More questions might come in, if that is okay.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I might be able to deal with some of them if you want to-----

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Okay. We will give the Minister of State another two minutes here.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As I was saying, there was a record number of applications. We gave all the applicants in a county a second chance to submit technical information and that process is concluding at present. From closure to announcement, we are actually ahead of what has happened in previous rounds. When the deadline closes, it will be less than a year from when we announced the applications to when we announced the grant outcomes. We expect that to happen in early February.

As Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan mentioned, the final second-chance applications will be submitted at the end of January. We will then finalise the figure with the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, and we will announce it in early February. I expect it will be in the first week or two of February when the assessment is concluded. It is just a case of receiving the technical information and giving clubs the opportunity to submit the technical information in order that they are included in the round. It is in their interest that the Government is giving that second opportunity. When Deputy Griffin was Minister of State, along with others he brought in the second-chance opportunity, which is greatly benefiting clubs and communities so they are not ruled out. Up to 20% or 25% of applications were ruled out in previous rounds. I think early February is a good time to announce grants. People have the year ahead to get their funding together, get drawdown and get planning for the summertime where it is better to actually progress sports applications.

I thank Deputy Naughten for his question on defibrillators. Just before Christmas, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and I announced a stimulus for sport in which we funded a significant number of defibrillators. We are working with Sport Ireland to establish a geo-database of all sport and recreational facilities across the country. We want to include defibrillators as part of that in order that people will be able to see where defibrillators are available. The Deputy is correct about their maintenance and people need to know how to use them. Through the local sports partnerships, we fund much of the training for defibrillators. Part of that training in a club environment for those people who know how to use them is to ensure that they are charged and that their batteries are updated. I will ask Sport Ireland to revert to the Deputy on what communication it is having with clubs and sporting organisations. It is a fair question.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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We need to provide a mechanism that protects community groups and individuals regarding defibrillators. I actively encourage their availability. However, individuals and community groups could be exposed if the defibrillators are not checked at least once a month, if the batteries and pads are not being replaced as specified by the manufacturer, if they are not housed in heated defibrillator cabinets as specified by the manufacturer or if they are out of the manufacturer's warranty. We do not want sporting clubs or community groups prosecuted and having to pay substantial settlements as a result of this. We want to actively support the roll-out of working defibrillators and having the local people available to use them.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State's reply, particularly that he has had positive discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Have those discussions now concluded? I ask him to give some idea of the percentage. How much money will be available? The request was for €200 million. What percentage would be available to fund it? If more funding is made available, more clubs will benefit. That is a key question and I would like the Minister of State to clarify the situation.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I echo that sentiment. The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, said February is a good month to announce grants. As I think every month is a good month to announce sports capital grants, the sooner we can get the announcement better. I commend the Minister of State and his team in the Department, who have been excellent at liaising with us. I echo the sentiments of Deputy Carey. I ask the Minister of State to give an indication of how much he requested from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. If he could give us an indication of a percentage that would be appreciated.

Will he give us the information for 2020, 2019 or any previous schemes and the percentage of projects that never proceeded to full drawdown?

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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I commend both the Minister and the Minister of State, in particular, on their work in the sports capital and equipment programme. It is really important that more funding is provided and I acknowledge the significant work the Minister of State has done in it. Quite simply, a bigger budget means more funding for a larger number of clubs. In the context of Covid, we know that over the past two years these clubs were unable to do the types of fundraising activity they normally do to supplement the capital grants they would have received through previous programmes. It is crucial now more than ever that the grants provided in 2022 will be as large as possible for as many clubs as possible. We all know the benefits.

I commend the work, as does everyone in this House, of the Minister and the Minister of State in this regard. The logistical exercise in getting all these applications processed and giving the second chances is significant. I acknowledge the dedicated team in Killarney who are doing that in the Department with responsibility for sport. It is a massive exercise and it takes time, but it is worth taking the time to get it right and it will benefit those clubs in the end.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I too commend both the Minister and the Minister of State on their work. As someone who has been involved in many sports throughout my lifetime, the importance of the sports capital programme to many clubs and communities is enormous. It is good to hear the Minister of State is fighting for additional funding in this regard. As I understand, each county will receive a set amount from the national total fund. It would be important to get clarity on that. That money will then be distributed among the clubs within each county. What is the total number of applications received by the Department, with a breakdown per county?

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I too am in agreement. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, for coming to Carlow and meeting several groups that are looking for funding. I have received lots of phone calls and emails asking when the funding will be announced. I ask that it be announced as quickly as possible. This is about the community. This is about survival. Particularly after Covid, this grant will make such a difference. It is also important that women in sport who apply are looked after because we have to make sure they get their fair share.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not without a stake in this. The Minister of State can take as much time as he wants in his concluding remarks. He can go on until 12 noon if he wishes so long as there is good news in it.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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You may give me a few minutes more.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Minister of State might as well announce it while he has the floor, but only to the Members who are here.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Lots of questions; lots of counties.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Do not forget Dublin South-West anyway.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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On the question asked by Deputy Carey, we will try to maximise the total funding envelope. I expect its amount will be significantly up on what we currently have. I will not go into our negotiation. The outcome will be announced when we announce the package. It will be positive for clubs and we are ambitious to help as many as possible.

On Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan's question, I will ask the Department. Covid has impacted a number of clubs around drawdown over the past two years in regard to construction and, as Deputy Griffin said, there have been difficulties with fundraising. One of the measures we are trying to take in this round is to allow the amount to be much closer to the ask. If we increase the envelope amount that will be more possible and, therefore, the drawdown will be more likely and that is important.

To answer Deputy Dillon's question, yes there is a split between the per capitaconsideration, which reflects the county population, and then it is based on the demand per county as well. I know Deputy Griffin was involved in developing that model. It has worked well in that there is a fair split and particularly rural and regional areas get a fair share of funding as well.

On Deputy Naughten's question about defibrillators, I will ask Sport Ireland to follow up on the legitimate points he made. We have supported the purchase of many defibrillators through the equipment programme. Some will be included in the sports capital. Through sporting organisations, we have funded many defibrillators as outlined in the announcement before Christmas. The Deputy is correct in that we cannot have an adverse court outcome impacting the fair usage and the incentive for people to purchase defibrillators.

On Deputy Murnane O'Connor's question, in this round we included a specific focus on female participation in sport. Clubs that are trying to attract women and girls to participate in their local clubs will benefit to a greater extent, and that is something we are keen to do in all the funding schemes.

As I said, I know people want to see this announced as quickly as possible. We expect it to conclude very shortly. The second chances will be finished in the next week. Following this, it is a case of finalising the envelope, which we are concluding, and completing the assessments. We expect this to be announced in early February. There will also be an appeal mechanism. The Government is conscious that it is important to give momentum to sport, volunteers and people participating in communities, and to allow the Government to match the ambition in our local communities with progress in terms of community infrastructure. This sports capital round will deliver on that when we announce the conclusion and the grant outcomes in early February. I expect the next time I am standing here answering questions, we will not be awaiting the current round.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The next time the Deputy will be standing answering a question is in about 30 seconds. My apologies, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, will be taking the next question.