Written answers
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Sports Facilities Expenditure
Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo municipal district of Sligo County Council at its meeting on 24 April 2017 unanimously adopted a motion relating to funding being specifically provided under the CLÁR and RAPID programmes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53295/17]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the college referred to by the Deputy, earlier this year my Department was made aware of local concerns relating to the continued sporting use of facilities which had previously received funding under the Sports Capital Programme. The facilities also received CLAR and RAPID funding from the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. On foot of the concerns raised, my Department engaged in a series of correspondence with the college to seek clarification in this regard and assurances that the grant aided facilities would remain in sporting use. My Department also inspected the site in June of this year to ensure that the terms and conditions of the original grant were being adhered to. It should be noted that the concerns raised related to one particular room within the overall sports complex which was previously being used as a gymnasium.
Following this inspection, the college was asked to provide a report on the usage of the overall facility and to provide evidence of how it was proposed to continue the sporting usage of the room which was the subject of the original complaint. The college provided this material in October including details of the external users of the facility, the charges being imposed and also included evidence of efforts to secure additional users for the facilities in the future.
Accordingly, my Department is satisfied that the college is currently in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme and the deed of covenant and charge which guarantees that the facilities will stay in sporting use for a period of 15 years from the date of the payment of the last instalment of the grant. The period of the deed will expire in 2023. My Department will however, continue to monitor the usage of the facility and engage further with the college if considered necessary.
In relation to any additional educational resources required by the college, this is of course a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
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