Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will arrange for the payment of a grant to a club (details supplied) in County Cork under the sports capital programme. [25317/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A grant of €100,000 was provisionally allocated to the project in question under the Sports Capital Programme in 2006. The grant allocation is subject to the terms and conditions of the Programme, which include compliance with requirements relating to a deed of covenant and charge.

A deed of covenant and charge provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated. The Department's legal adviser, the Chief State Solicitor's Office – CSSO - deals with the grantee's solicitor in relation to the deed. Formal approval of an allocation under the Sports Capital Programme is not possible until the CSSO notifies my Department that all legal issues are completed. This notification was received yesterday in the case of the allocation in question.

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 and upon receipt of appropriate tax clearance certification. 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. A letter issued to the club in question yesterday from the Department outlining the outstanding items required to be submitted in support of the payment of the grant, subject to the retention arrangements outlined above.