John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if funding will be available for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo. [42483/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, 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 for the capital costs of providing sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Applications for funding must be in respect of projects that are of a capital nature and must be directly related to the provision of sporting or physical recreation facilities. This means that the project must involve improving or building an asset or buying non-personal sports equipment that will be used for at least five years.

The Programme does not provide grants towards buying sites, premises or personal equipment. In the assessment process the guiding principle is that priority is given to the facilities closest to actual participation in sport. In this regard bar facilities, landscaping and car parks are not funded under the Programme.

It is open to the club in question to apply to the Department for funding under any future round the Sports Capital Programme should they have a suitable project. No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Programme.

Fáilte Ireland undertakes a range of activities to promote angling in Ireland, including investment in infrastructure. Previous grant assistance under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Capital Investment Programme has been aimed at ensuring that the angling product is maintained and where necessary upgraded to increase supply and improve the quality of the product to bring it in line with best international standards. Because of the infrastructural nature of the investment, Fáilte Ireland has provided funding in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. A direct approach to Failte Ireland (88 – 95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, Ph: 1890 525 525) by the group in question is recommended.