John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a lottery grant will be awarded to an association (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that all legal documents have now been submitted; and if he will expedite payment. [20838/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Satisfactory legal documentation in respect of the grants in question was received today by my Department and will be processed in the normal manner. The club in question was provisionally allocated €175,000 under the Sports Capital Programme in 2006 for dressing rooms only. The guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme specify that the Department will pay grants in stages as an approved project proceeds by reimbursing the applicant's costs when they submit original, paid, valid invoices or certificates of payment. The Department typically pays 70% of the value of the valid paid invoices submitted. In addition, the Department reserves 5% of the grant pending confirmation from a consultant or architect that the facility has been satisfactorily completed in all respects and that the defects liability period has expired.

In the case of the club in question, the Department will shortly authorise the payment of €98,000 on foot of the valid, paid invoices received to date. In order for the balance of the funding to be drawn down, subject to the retention arrangements already outlined, it is necessary that additional valid, paid invoices for works carried out in respect of the dressing rooms now be submitted. My Department will write to the grantee in question shortly confirming the initial payment and outlining the steps necessary to draw down the balance of the allocation.