Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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564. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of a grant for a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14553/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital and Equipment 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.

The 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme closed for applications on Monday 1^stMarch. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment procedures are currently being finalised and all applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, will be assessed in accordance with these.  Given the large number of applications received this assessment process is likely to take several months.  As soon as this process is complete all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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565. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding and or grants provided by Sport Ireland to a club (details supplied) since its formation on an annual basis. [14555/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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. Sport Ireland does not however, provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but instead channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body.

In relation to my Department, the Sports Capital and Equipment 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. The club referred to by the Deputy, which I understand is newly formed, has not received funding under the scheme previously. It should be noted however that the 2020 round of the  Programme closed for applications on Monday 1st March and an application from the club has been received. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted which is the highest number of applications ever received.  

The scoring system and assessment procedures are currently being finalised and all applications will be assessed in accordance with these.  Given the large number of applications received this assessment process is likely to take a number of months.  As soon as this process is complete all applicants, including the club referred to by the Deputy, will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.