Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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299. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public service obligations applicable to private sports clubs which receive funding under the sports capital grants, for example, the need for an element of public access at private golf clubs in receipt of sports capital funding which charge high fees for persons to join; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13149/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) as operated by my Department provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. The full terms and conditions of the SCP are available on my Department's website including details of who can apply.

SCP applicants must sign a declaration guaranteeing that they will not deny anybody access to any facility for which they have received a grant on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, or membership of the Traveller Community without just, reasonable and proper cause. Clubs applying for grant assistance must also be open for new members to join at the time of the assessment process.

In relation to future rounds of the SCP, my Department is undertaking a review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This review will consider any changes required to the eligibility criteria and is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. I expect this review to be complete shortly and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.

A value for money review of the programme is also being carried out within the Department that will examine, among other things, the impact that the programme is having on participation in sport.