Written answers
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Departmental Schemes
8:00 pm
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the applications processed by his Department; the average waiting time to process each application; the steps which he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26900/07]
Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes administered by my Department are set out in the table below. In addition my Department's Customer Charter sets out the standard of service that users of the Department's services are entitled to expect. The Charter is available on the Department's website http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie.
| Type of Application | Average waiting time to process application | Steps being taken to speed up processing time |
| The Board of Culture Ireland considers applications on a quarterly basis for travel and support for the promotion of Irish artists worldwide. | One month. | A new system to allow smaller scale projects to be considered on a monthly basis is currently being considered. |
| Applications under the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS) | Applications for the most recent round of this scheme, ACCESS II, were accepted over a six-week period. 155 applications were assessed and evaluated by the Department over a five-month period, with the assistance of an independent selection committee who duly made recommendations to the Minister. Projects for which applications were received varied in cost from €13,000 to €42m and therefore the time required to adequately assess each application varied depending on the size and scope of the project. Applicants were not notified of the outcome of their application until completion of the selection committee's work and acceptance of their report by the Minister. | Applications for funding under the scheme are processed as promptly as possible, having regard to the size, complexity and variety of projects for which applications are received, the resources available to my Department to deal with them and the need for a robust and fair assessment process. |
| Sports Capital Programme | Processing and assessment of the applications (between 1300-1500 per round) over approximately three and a half to four months Recommendations regarding allocations are made to the Minister. The timing of the announcement of the provisional grant allocations is at the Minister's discretion. | Regular reviews of assessment process are undertaken. Applications for funding under the scheme are processed as promptly as possible, having regard to the quantity, complexity and variety of projects for which applications are received, the resources available in my Department to deal with them and the need for a robust and fair assessment process. |
| Local Authority Swimming Pools Programme*** | Four stage process | A Value for Money and Policy Review currently underway includes a review of the four stage process. |
| Freedom of Information Act | Dealt with within the statutory time frames | Not applicable |
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