Written answers

Thursday, 17 February 2005

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Departmental Funding

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of sports, arts or recreational groups likely to benefit directly or indirectly from funding by his Department in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5520/05]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Applications for funding under the 2005 national lottery-funded sports capital programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 4 February 2005. Subject to final confirmation, a total of 1,360 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. At this point, I could not say how many allocations will be made.

My Department operates the ACCESS scheme which provides funding for the capital development of arts and cultural facilities, galleries, museums, etc., around the country. In August 2001, €45.71 million was allocated to 44 successful projects. Taking into account matching funding being provided by project promoters, the ACCESS scheme will result in almost €58.4 million going into arts capital infrastructure. As completion of these projects, is at differing stages, depending on local arrangements, procurement of matching funds and the necessary legal issues being put in place, it is not possible to state the number of groups which will benefit under the scheme in 2005.

Significant funding is also provided to sports, arts and recreational groups by the Irish Sports Council and the Arts Council which are agencies that come under the aegis of my Department but the allocation of such funding is a matter for these agencies and I am not in a position to say how many groups will be funded by them in 2005.

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