Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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353. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a review of the sports capital programme will be completed. [18917/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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A new round of the Sports Capital Programme valued at €30m was announced last December. The new round included a number of changes designed to simplify and streamline the application process including a much shortened application form. By the closing date of the 24th February, 2,320 applications were received. These applications will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months and an announcement regarding allocations will be made later this year. In relation to any future reviews of the Sports Capital Programme, the Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit (EFEU) of my Department undertakes Value for Money Reviews (VFM) and Focused Policy Assessments to evaluate existing programmes and projects in line with the Public Spending Code. These reviews form part of the EFEU's ongoing work to deliver improvements in areas of evidence-informed policy making and monitoring by ensuring that programmes are meeting their objectives and providing value for money from public expenditure. A VFM  of the Sports Capital Programme is scheduled to commence this year which will use applications under the 2017 round of the programme for some baseline data. The VFM is expected to be complete in 2018.