Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to unveil the large scale projects under the sports capital programme. [7524/18]

Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the plans submitted by a group (details supplied) to his Department on the redevelopment proposals for its county ground and its request for funding under the sports infrastructure fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7501/18]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the large scale projects under the sports capital programme will be opened. [7523/18]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his position regarding the rollout of the large scale projects under the sports capital programme. [7531/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 40, 80, 85 and 93 together.

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) has been the primary means of providing Government support to sports clubs and organisations for sports capital works. Allocations under the 2017 round of the programme were announced on the 30th November (local projects) and 21st December (regional projects) with a total of €60m allocated. Under this most recent round of the SCP, the maximum grant which could be applied for was €150,000 for local projects and €200,000 for a regional project.

Outside of the Sports Capital Programme, my Department has also overseen Government support for significant sporting infrastructure including state contributions to the Croke Park redevelopment, the Aviva Stadium and Thomond Park. At present, my Department is administering the Government grants towards the redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh (total contribution €30m) and the Kerry Sports Academy at the Institute of Technology Tralee (total planned contribution €7.5m).

In the longer term, funding of sports facilities is being considered as part of the Sports Policy Review which will be finalised shortly. It is clear however, that there are a number of large sporting facilities which will seek Government support over the coming years.  

Accordingly, as part of the discussions around the Review of The Capital Plan, Minister Ross and I suggested the creation of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) for larger projects where the amount being sought from Government is greater than that available under the SCP. The new National Development Plan which is expected to be published shortly will include further detail of the new Fund.

My officials will draft the terms and conditions of the new scheme over the coming months. All projects funded under the scheme will be subject to the Public Spending Code and State Aid requirements prior to any funding commitments being made. In terms of calls for proposals, it is envisaged that at a minimum, the National Governing Bodies of Sport and local authorities will be asked to prioritise projects for possible inclusion. The results of the Cost Benefit Analysis/Multi-Criteria Analysis for each project will be a key determinant in deciding which projects are included for funding. It is likely that projects will be allocated funding over a number of years and every effort will be made to ensure a spread of sports and a geographic spread of projects.

In relation to any specific projects, prior to the details and terms and conditions of the new scheme being finalised and relevant organisations having the opportunity to apply for funding, it is not possible to say which projects will be supported at this stage. 

I hope to have these terms and conditions finalised in the coming months and an announcement to include how and when organisations can apply for the funding will be made at that stage.