Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 776: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33817/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department and part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country.

No decision has been made on the timing on the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.

Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. Included in this figure is over €120m in funding to soccer clubs.

This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated multi-sport centres and national centres of sporting excellence.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, the timeframe on the progress of the review of the sports capital programme; when he expects the review to be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33852/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy, which will provide an improved policy platform for any future rounds of the Programme, is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. It is my intention to publish the strategy once it has been completed and considered by the Government.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 778: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, the projected direct Exchequer funding for the Horse and Greyhound Fund; the progress made on the review of the funding structure of the Horse and Greyhound Fund; when he expects to publish this financial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33853/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 24 September 2009, a review of the Horse & Greyhound Fund has been completed and is currently being considered in the context of deciding on the future funding options for these industries.

The level of funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries in 2010 will be dependent on overall budgetary conditions taking into account the significant contributions that these industries make to the economy in general and the rural economy in particular.