Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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909. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to accommodate the various community sporting organisations here with particular reference to the need to cater specifically for active and passive sports and the young and mature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45348/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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In relation to assistance for capital projects, the Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.  Under the 2017 round of that programme €62m was allocated to 1,837 sporting projects and my officials are assisting these grantees in completing their projects and drawing down their grants on an ongoing basis.

The 2018 round of the programme closed for applications on 19 October and 2,337 applications were received seeking €162m.  The assessment of these applications will take a number of months to complete with allocations in 2019. 

With regard to current expenditure,  Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.  This includes responsibility for the development of strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport for all age groups, and to co-ordinate the implementation of those strategies.

Sport Ireland channels funding through the relevant recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships.  Accordingly, I have also referred the question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.