Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the data derived from the national audit of leisure facilities and census 2006 will be used in his consideration of lottery grant applications; if so, the degree to which such information will play a role; if not, the scope there is to incorporate such information in the decision making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15404/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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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. In the period 1998 to 2005 a total of 10,540 applications have been received under the programme, which is advertised on an annual basis. This has resulted in the allocation of almost €395 million in grants in respect of 4,923 sporting projects in cities, towns and villages the length and breadth of Ireland.

All applications received under the sports capital programme are assessed on an individual basis by officials in the sports unit of my Department in accordance with a detailed set of assessment criteria as specified in the guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme, which accompany the application form for the programme. In addition to factors such as sporting impact, levels of disadvantage and financial viability, the assessment process takes into account existing levels of sport and recreational sport facilities in an area. In making recommendations on grant allocations, my Department uses the population levels in each county, currently based on the 2002 census figures, to determine a pro-rata level of funding.

Part of the assessment process includes consultations with other Departments and a range of bodies, including the Irish Sports Council, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities to identify projects of strategic importance. This consultation process provides an opportunity to prioritise projects that will fill identified gaps across the sporting landscape and target high population growth areas. The population data arising from the 2006 census including information on areas enjoying significant population increases will be used in future assessments of applications made under the sports capital programme.

Work has commenced on the audit with the immediate task being to establish a record of national and regional sports facilities as a first phase of the project. Ascertaining and mapping what is already in place is an important part of developing a strategic approach to future facility provision in terms of establishing the level of need that still exists in the sports sector and in helping to determine future priorities. It is expected that the data derived from the national audit of sports facilities will greatly assist and guide the assessment process of grant applications in the future. I expect that the first phase of the audit will be will be completed in advance of the 2007 sports capital programme. It will not therefore be available in time for the 2006 programme.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount the Government will spend on investing in community based sporting facilities and in grants to sporting organisation in 2006; the percentage of the budget for the years this will represent; the way in which the Government's level of spending in this regard compares with the EU 15 average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14225/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The total allocation for sport in my Department's Estimate for 2006 is €243.295 million. Some €67.724 million, or 27.8% of total available funding for sport, is allocated through subhead C1 of the Vote in respect of grants for sporting bodies and the provision of sports and recreational facilities at local, regional and national levels. My Department has not been able to locate any data on the EU average referred to by the Deputy.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when it is expected that a decision will be made on the applications from groups for funding under the 2006 sports capital funding programme in view of the fact that the closing date for applications was 20 January 2006. [14226/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he intends to allocate funding under the sports capital programme 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14686/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 387 together.

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 levels.

Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 20 January 2006. A total of 1,338 applications for projects costing €670 million and seeking funding of €312 million were received. All of these applications, ranging in project cost from €500 to €25 million are currently being evaluated against the programme's detailed 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.