Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1150: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the date on which grant aid was approved for a sporting organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; the reason payment has not been made to this organisation in respect of works that have been fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30211/08]

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

Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The aim of the Programme is to maximise participation in sport through the provision of modern high quality, safe, well-designed and sustainable facilities and sports equipment. The provision of such facilities allows for increased numbers to participate in sport.

A grant of €227,500, including a top-up of €52,500 from RAPID, was provisionally allocated to the club in question under the 2006 Sports Capital Programme. The letter notifying the club of the provisional allocation issued on 16 June 2006. The grant allocation was subject to the terms and conditions of the Programme, which included the execution of a deed of covenant and charge.

A deed of covenant and charge provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated. The Department's legal adviser, the Chief State Solicitor's Office — CSSO — deals with the grantee's solicitor in executing this deed. I understand that the CSSO recently received documentation regarding the case from the solicitors representing the organisation dated 10 September. The documentation submitted has been examined by the CSSO, who last week wrote to the grantee's solicitor requesting further documentation to execute the deed. As soon as the Deed of Covenant and charge is in place payment of the grant will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the programme.