Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 3 March 2009, the number of schools and sports clubs which made joint applications under the Sports Capital Programme 2008; the number which were successful; the amount granted to these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16350/09]

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 at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998, over €725 million has been allocated to over 7,400 projects across the country.

Primary and post-primary schools may only apply to the Sports Capital Programme for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups.

Under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme, 9 schools made joint applications with local sports clubs. One of these applications was successful and a sum of €160,000 was allocated to the project. Since 2003 a total of €5.3m has been allocated to 48 joint applications made by schools and sports clubs.

Under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme, schools making joint applications with local sports clubs were required to provide evidence of formal agreements with local clubs that guarantee the clubs access to school facilities for at least 30 hours per week throughout the year. In assessing applications, extra marks are also awarded to sports clubs that can show that they are allowing local schools to use their facilities.