Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the details of recent grants to sporting organisations; and the amount of public money that was given to the Football Association of Ireland's premier league and to clubs here competing in Europe. [14099/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The 2004 national lottery funded 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 deadline. They were evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, that were outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions. On 7 May 2004 I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €50.8 million to 717 sporting and voluntary and community organisations.

I will shortly announce funding for projects of major significance under the 2004 sports capital programme. They met local needs but they will also add considerably to the national and regional sporting infrastructure that is required to increase levels of participation and improve standards of performance.

In keeping with Government policy, the allocations reflect special priority for the development of sports and recreational facilities in areas designated as disadvantaged such as RAPID, CLÁR and local drugs task force areas. Projects that were allocated sports capital funding in designated disadvantaged areas may also receive additional top-up funding under the CLÁR and RAPID programmes, administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A statement will issue from the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, at a later stage regarding top-up funding allocations under these programmes.

In the context of the 2003 sports capital programme, and following representations from the FAI, I agreed to provide an additional €3 million to assist all of the clubs from the FAI premier division and the Eircom League in the upgrading of facilities to meet specific UEFA licensing requirements. A sum of €8.95 million was allocated to other soccer projects in 2003.

In December 2003 the FAI made recommendations about the distribution of the funding in the light of club reports outlining necessary works and the immediate demands placed on clubs qualifying for European competitions in 2004. The Department sought clarification from the FAI on a number of issues surrounding the overall implementation of the UEFA licensing and the specific projects involved. Contacts with the FAI on these issues is ongoing.

It is my Department's priority to finalise the allocation of the €3 million set aside in 2003 and to ensure that it is allocated and drawn down by Eircom League clubs to meet UEFA licensing demands in the context of a structured plan for its implementation across both of its divisions. So far this year grants totalling €8.05 million have been made towards the development of soccer facilities throughout the country. I will shortly announce more funding for projects of major significance.