Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm that he is maintaining contact in respect of the proposed stadium (details supplied) in Dublin 24 due to open in early 2009; the assistance being made available to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37851/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the 2008 round of the Sports Capital Programme €2.75m was allocated to the Tallaght Stadium project. My Department has been in recent contact with the grantee. Officials from my Department recently visited the site and met with officials of South Dublin County Council.

I understand that good progress is being made on the project with a view to having the first game in the stadium early next year.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the criteria that have not been met by schools (details supplied) applying for funding to keep their respective sports halls open into 2009; if additional funding streams can be identified by this date; if the horse and greyhound racing fund can be amended to support valuable community facilities such as these in view of the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37971/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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. Under the Programme, funding is provided for capital purposes and current or operational costs are a matter for the operator of the facility.

Letters have issued to each of this year's unsuccessful applicants, including the ones in question, setting out the reasons why they were not awarded a grant. As those letters 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 the cases of the applicants in question, both of which related to replacement of existing outdoor playing surfaces and security fencing, one did not meet a qualifying condition of the Programme in that the proof of title and the evidence own funding provided was not sufficient, and the other was valid but the applicant did not achieve a high enough score to secure a grant.

I do not propose at this point that there will be any further allocations under the Sports Capital Programme in 2008.

There are no funds available in my Department to meet the running costs of local sports facilities. The Horse and Greyhound racing fund which is currently under review provides much needed support to both the horse-racing and greyhound industries, both of which make a significant economic contribution, mainly to the rural economy in terms of employment and tourism.