Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of plans his Department may have for a sports capital scheme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4286/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2012 I was pleased to make allocations totalling €31m under the 2012 round of the Sports Capital Programme.  The 2012 round of the SCP was the first round of the Programme since 2008.  The absence of an SCP between 2008 and 2012 meant that there was a huge level of demand for grants. As a result there were a record number of applications in 2012 with a total of 2170 applications. I also made changes to the Programme in 2012 to make it accessible to more clubs and organisations than ever before.  I believe that these changes also led to the record number of applications in 2012. 

I was very pleased to announce a total of €40.5 million last year under the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme.  A total of 2,036 applications were received under the 2014 Programme, the second highest number ever received. A total of 821 of the successful allocations were towards local sports clubs and organisations, with the remaining 59 allocated to regional or national projects.

I am delighted that I was successful in receiving enough money for 2015 to launch another round of the SCP this year. This will be the third round of the Programme since this Government came into office, a very significant achievement by any standards, particularly against the backdrop of the continuing economic challenges facing the country and it shows this Government’s commitment to the excellent work being done by sporting organisations throughout the country. 

Detailed preparations are being made at present in my Department for the 2015 SCP. I expect to make an announcement in the near future.