Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a clubhouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42541/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the location in question is within a National Park, a Biosphere Reserve, Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area. The identification and development of an alternative site in the proximity of the lake would thus be extremely challenging and would be subject to screening for appropriate assessment, a full environment assessment and also planning applications to the relevant County Council. Given the over-riding conservation and ecology concerns in this sensitive area it is unlikely my Department could be supportive of such a proposal at this heritage site.

In the event that the club managed to identify a suitable site where planning permission could be secured, a significant budget would be required to develop same. In this context, it should be noted that the club in question has benefited considerably, and still does, from their current premises being made available to them by my Department without charge. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the National Parks and Nature Reserves, my Department recognises the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management and conservation of our existing National Parks and Nature Reserves portfolio. Accordingly, we would not be in a position at present to provide any financial assistance for such a development.

The club could consider applying under the Sports Capital Programmerun by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport or alternatively it could apply under the Rural Recreation Scheme operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development.