Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 714: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he is taking to provide sporting facilities for a community (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2409/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The 2008 programme was advertised on 13th and 14th of January and the deadline for receipt of applications is 29th February for paper-based applications and 7th March for on-line applications. Application forms are available from my Department or directly from the Department's website at www.dast.gov.ie.

It is open to the organisation in question, should they wish to do so and should they have a project which satisfies the terms and conditions of the programme, to submit an application for the 2008 Sports Capital Programme. I should point out that funding is not available under the programme for the purchase of land. However, Section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 allows for tax relief on donations made to approved sports bodies for the funding of sports capital projects including the purchase of land. It is open to the organisation in question to avail of this scheme. Full details of the scheme are available from the Revenue Commissioners and a copy of the scheme guidelines are also on my Department's website.