Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of primary schools that received grant aid under the sports capital programme in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34864/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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While responsibility for funding of school sports facilities rests with the Department of Education and Science, it is open to projects located on school grounds to apply for funding for sports facilities accessible also to the wider community under my Department's sports capital programme.

Applications to the programme from primary and post-primary schools and colleges must be made jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must, as a minimum, demonstrate that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility when it is not being used by the school or college itself. In this regard, the significant access is a requirement for a minimum of at least 30 hours a week throughout the year.

The sports capital programme does not sub-categorise school-related applications into primary and other categories. A total of €634,000 was allocated under the 2005 programme to seven joint projects situated in schools/colleges. The amount under the 2006 programme was €1,415,000 to 12 projects.

The 2007 round of the sports capital programme was advertised on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th last with a closing date for receipt of applications under the programme, set for close of business on Friday 24th November next and it will again be open to joint projects involving schools to apply for funding should they meet the terms and conditions of the programme.