Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with various sporting groups that have been the beneficiaries of sports capital grants in the past with a view to ensuring that all such grants are used effectively and efficiently and where circumstances in which difficulties have arisen, assistance of a constructive nature will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8012/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sports Capital Programme Division of my Department makes every effort to assist sports clubs and organisations to draw down all grants allocated under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP).  To this end, staff members are available to answer any questions that grantees may have. Phone numbers for the officials dealing with each county can be found on my Department's website atwww.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.  Accordingly, if grantees are having difficulties drawing down SCP grants, they should contact my Department in the first instance.  If grantees are unable to progress with the project as originally applied for, they may be able to apply for a change of purpose to use the grant for another sporting purpose. 

In a limited number of cases where delays are excessive or where there is no prospect of the grant being drawn down at all, SCP grants may be withdrawn. In all such cases, grantees are contacted prior to the grant withdrawal. Any suggestion regarding alternative uses for the grant are fully considered once the other terms and conditions of the SCP are adhered to.