Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 342: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding is available under the sports capital grant scheme for the development of public walks and the maintenance of such walks on public lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28848/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Under the Programme funding is not provided for the development and maintenance of walks on public land. However, Fáilte Ireland provides funding to local authorities for the development of certain elements of tourism-related infrastructure, under the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The focus of this Fund, which was launched in 2007, is on supporting local authorities and other key infrastructure providers to develop appropriate facilities for tourists. It targets facilities such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic interest, and signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and historic towns.

Grant funding provided under the Tourism Infrastructure Fund is approved by the Fáilte Ireland Authority following an assessment of proposals received from local authorities and other development bodies throughout the country. Such decisions are day to day matters for Failte Ireland under the terms of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003.

While the intention is that the Infrastructure sub-programme will continue over the lifetime of the National Development Plan, the focus of Failte Ireland is now moving to other elements of the Product Development Sub-Programme, including investment in visitor attractions and visitor activities. The Tourism Infrastructure Fund is currently closed and it is a matter for Fáilte Ireland as to whether it will re-open for applications in 2009.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 343: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will announce the allocation under the sports capital grant scheme 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28849/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, 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.

Applications for funding under the 2008 programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on 13th and 14th of January and the deadline for receipt of applications was 29th February for paper-based applications and 7th March for online applications. All applications received before the deadline are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.