Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding available for local tennis clubs to improve existing facilities. [4318/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local level. Over 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocation in that time to over €725 million. In 2008 over €50m was allocated towards 685 separate sports facility and equipment projects, including allocations of €1.778 million to 25 tennis projects. These grants continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of modern, high quality facilities around Ireland that attract more people to participate in sporting activities.

In the 2009 Estimates, €56m has been provided in my Department's vote to cover payments to be made from the C-1 sub-head, out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. As I announced in the House recently no decision has been taken about the timing of future rounds of the Programme.