Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1010. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address queries raised by persons (details supplied) regarding a club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The Sports Capital Programme provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. The Department's guide to making  applications under the programme makes it clear the programme is only open to sporting organisations and projects of a sporting nature. To determine if a project is eligible  for the programme, the Department uses the Council of Europe definition of sport: 

“all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.”

As playing bridge is not a physical activity it cannot be considered for funding.

Likewise the Revenue Commissioners' "Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies" is limited to sporting bodies and projects of a sporting nature.

The Sports Capital Programme is part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery and this may be the Ministerial Lottery Fund referred to in the details supplied. 

The club referred to may be eligible to apply for other grants available through the relevant Education and Training Board, Local Development Company or Local Authority.