Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 339: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he intends to allocate funds under the sports capital programme; the budget available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9591/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

The 2004 sports capital programme was advertised in the national newspapers on 30 November and 1 December 2003. The closing date for receipt of applications was 16 January 2004. A total of 1,304 applications were received before the closing date. These applications are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed. I will decide soon on the level of provisional grant allocations to be made this year having regard both to the quality of the applications received under the 2004 programme and the pattern of grant allocations and drawdowns on foot of earlier years' approvals.