Written answers

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Sports Funding

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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281. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects to announce the sport capital grant allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42420/21]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) 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 SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment procedures was published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed in accordance with these. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for "equipment only" projects. These applications were assessed first and €16.6m worth of grants were announced on the 6th August.

The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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282. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a works approval will issue for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42569/21]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The club referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant under the 2018 Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) which remains fully outstanding. My Department emailed the club the details of the provisional allocation and set out the terms and conditions that must be met prior to formal approval of the grant.

Formal approval cannot be given until the club has provided all the required documentation. In this regard, I understand that the outstanding documentation was received earlier this week and formal approval issued on the same day.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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283. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 25 May 2021, the status of the grant; and the date on which the grant will issue to the club. [42601/21]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in the previous response to the parliamentary question referred to, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and due to the level of grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to put in place a number of legal deeds in order to protect the public investment in the facility. Legal formalities in relation to this grant have not yet been finalised as the Chief State Solicitor's Office is still awaiting documentation from the grantee's solicitor. I understand this latest information was requested at the end of July. Once the CSSO receives the outstanding documentation and confirms receipt of same, there will be no undue delay with my Department advancing the grant.

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