Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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559. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a payment outstanding from the 2018 sports capital grant for a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5289/19]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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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.

Given the substantial investments made under the programme, it is a requirement where grants or cumulative grants reach a certain threshold that the State's investment is protected by way of deeds of covenant and charge against the grantee's property. This provides the Department with a guarantee that grant aided facilities will continue to be used for sporting purposes. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) acts on behalf of the Department to ensure that all legal requirements are completed.

Prior to my Department issuing formal approval to the club referred to by the Deputy, the CSSO must confirm that the legal formalities are complete. I understand the CSSO has been engaging with the club's solicitors in this regard and once confirmation is received that all matters have been finalised, there will be no undue delay from my Department's perspective in progressing the drawdown of the grant.