Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when application forms for grants (details supplied) will be available; if the grants will be allocated at a later stage in 2009; if the application process will be delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41190/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that allocations under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme were announced in July last. No decision has yet been made about the timing of further rounds of the Programme. 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.

Since 1998 the Programme has allocated over €725 million to over 7,400 projects. This investment has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland and has allowed the development of sports facilities across the length and breadth of the country. These facilities have dramatically increased the opportunities for all people to engage in a wide variety of sports.