Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and, if so, the reason for this outcome. [5907/13]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.

When the 2012 Programme was advertised, my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.  Unfortunately, this application did not meet these requirements and hence was deemed invalid and could not be considered for funding.

The club in question applied for multi-annual funding totalling €1.2m (€300,000 each year for 4 years) towards a project costing almost €1.8m.  They did not provide evidence of having at least 15% own funding as a percentage of the total cost of the project, and the Department did not consider the project to be financially viable.

A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid was sent to the club contact on 17/12/12.  If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.