Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1407. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the basis on which it was decided to award one point for non GAA sports for ball stop netting while awarding two points for applications in respect of ball stop netting for GAA; his views on whether this scoring system is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55260/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The assessment process and scoring scheme used for the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) has been developed based on experience of overseeing the programme over a number of years. While some changes were made to the scoring system for the 2017 round of the SCP, no alterations were made to the scores awarded for ball stop netting. The assessment process and scoring system is primarily designed to reward projects:

- that have a positive impact on participation,

- that are being proposed by clubs/organisations that have not received significant funding in the past,

- that are from disadvantaged areas, and

- that promote sharing of facilities

Ball stop netting is clearly more relevant for certain sports due to the nature of the sports themselves. In this regard, the necessity for ball stop netting for gaelic games was deemed to be particularly strong due to the fact that gaelic footballs and sliotars regularly get kicked and pucked higher and further away from goal posts in comparison to other field sports. Accordingly, it was decided that these applications could receive a higher mark than non-GAA applications. While I consider the overall scoring system for the SCP to be reasonable and fair, all aspects of it will be reviewed prior to the next round of the SCP.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1408. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking through the sports capital grants scheme or by other methods to encourage the sharing of sports facilities by different sports or to promote the development of multi-sport facilities. [55261/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The sharing of facilities is one of the stated objectives of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP). Applicants are advised at application stage that they will obtain extra marks at assessment if they show that the proposed facilities will be shared. Under the SCP, schools, colleges and Education and Training Boards may only apply for funding jointly with a local sports club or group. Of the 1,807 allocations made to local projects under the 2017 programme, almost 500 were to organisations that stated in their application that they would share their facilities with other groups. The SCP also allocates generous funding to multi-sport and community sport facilities. Details of all the allocations made under the most recent round of the programme, including those to multi-sports facilities are available on my Department's website.

In relation to future capital funding for sports projects, my Department is currently finalising a review of national sports policy which includes a specific focus on how Government should optimally fund sports facilities in the years ahead.