Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of joint applications that were made by schools and sports clubs under the 2008 sports capital programme; the number of these applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33796/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of joint applications that were made by two or more sports clubs under the 2008 sports capital programme; the number of these applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances to schools and colleges, throughout the country. It is the main vehicle for development of sports facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country.

Primary and post-primary schools wishing to be considered for funding under the programme may apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must meet other conditions including a requirement that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility, at least 30 hours a week throughout the year, when it is not being used by the school itself. Any sports facility proposed for funding by a sporting organisation and which would be located within school grounds would have to meet these same conditions.

Applications from primary and post-primary schools and colleges on their own are not considered under the programme. Responsibility for the provision of sports facilities in schools and colleges is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Education and Science.

Under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme my Department received 9 applications made jointly by schools and sports clubs. One of these applications was successful. However, these figures may not reflect applications made to develop community and multi-sport facilities that benefit schools and clubs alike.

It is not possible to give a precise figure for the number of joint applications made by one or more clubs. Many clubs join together to build and use sports facilities. However, such clubs may apply under the names of the clubs or the name of the club or organisation that owns the land where the facilities are to be built or under a separate name. However, in assessing applications consideration is given to applications for facilities that will accommodate several sports in one location.

Significant funding is allocated under the programme for the provision of community and multi-sports facilities with over €9.35 million invested in 103 separate projects in 2008 alone. Since 1998 sports capital funding of over €135 million was allocated to community and municipal multi-sport projects. These projects include sports facilities built by local authorities, community sports facilities and multi-sport clubs.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason a club (details supplied) in County Westmeath who sought capital funding under the sports capital scheme was not awarded a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34065/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Letters have issued to each of this year's unsuccessful applicants, including the one in question, setting out the reasons why they were not awarded a grant. As that letter pointed out, given the level of demand for funding and the amount of funding available under the Programme, it is not possible for my Department to allocate grants to every applicant. In this instance, the club did not meet a number of the qualifying conditions of the Programme in that the evidence of own funding and the evidence of planning compliance provided was not sufficient.