Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of public money granted to a club (details supplied) in Dublin over the past five years; and if he will meet their supporters development group in relation to supporting the Eircom League and funding issues. [23228/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Capital grants to the value of €1,052,449 have been allocated by my Department under the Sports Capital Programme to the specified club in the period 1999 to 2003. All of this amount has been paid out in full and no further capital funding has since been allocated to the club. This funding is protected by a Deed of Covenant and Charge which provides for a repayment of the grants should the property be sold or cease to be used for sporting proposes.

Funding for sport of a non-capital nature is provided through the Irish Sports Council, the statutory agency established in 1999 for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland. In the period since then, €161 million has been provided by my Department to the Irish Sports Council, including approximately €9 million provided directly in grants to the FAI much of which has been to support programmes aimed at increasing participation in football by young people in particular.

The development and funding of professional football remains a matter for the Eircom league and the FAI itself. However I have in the past met with clubs and groups to discuss plans for capital projects and I will continue to make myself available to any group to discuss any specific proposal brought forward.