Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress in respect of plans for a ground of first class standard for the Irish Cricket Union in view of the great recent success of the Irish cricket team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25608/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting clubs, voluntary and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. All applications received are evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.

Since 2000, funding has been provided under the sports capital programme towards the improvement of the facilities at cricket's venue for hosting international matches, the Clontarf Cricket Club, and for the establishment of the national Centre of Excellence for the sport, at North County Cricket Club in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Since 2000, cricket has benefited from grant aid in the amount of almost €1.3m under the sports capital programme.

I have put on record my pride and delight at the outstanding performance of the Irish Cricket Team who qualified for the Super Eight stage at the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. This was an unprecedented achievement for the Irish Cricket Team. I am also aware of the wish of the Irish Cricket Union to develop a new ground for cricket in Ireland. In this regard, I understand that the Irish Cricket Union has established a committee, chaired by the President of the Union, to draw up proposals and make recommendations in relation to the establishment of this facility. I look forward to receiving these proposals in due course.