Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

195. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital and current funding that has been allocated to sailing in Ireland for each of the past ten years; the clubs or locations that received same; if there is a growth in the number of persons involved in the sport; and the numbers. [51985/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. This includes the allocation of current funding across a variety of funding schemes. Sport Ireland channels its funding through the National Governing Bodies of Sport. In the case of sailing, funding is allocated to the Irish Sailing Association. 

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the funding allocated to the Irish Sailing Association in the past 10 years and for information on participation levels in the sport.  I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days. 

In relation to capital supports, 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 were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.

The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. This work is ongoing with allocations for all successful applications expected to be announced in the coming months. 

Details of all allocations, including those to sailing-related projects, made under the SCEP since 2000 are published at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. Likewise details of all payments made under the SCEP since 2011 are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/ .

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

196. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider exempting community and volunteer sports clubs from paying rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51784/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Acts 2001-2020. The making of valuations for rating purposes and decisions in relation to exemptions is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.

The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020 provide that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Acts. However, Paragraphs 4, 4A and 4B of Schedule 4 provide for certain exemptions for property directly occupied for sporting purposes.

Land developed for sport, such as a playing pitch, has a long standing exemption from rateability. Paragraphs 4A and 4B of Schedule 4, added by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 provides for the exemption of property used exclusively for community sport and otherwise than for profit.

As a result of the changes made by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, it is normally property registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904 and used for the sale and consumption of alcohol and property used to generate other commercial type income that is rateable. Income from membership fees and income from community organisations and participants in community sport using buildings does not result in a property occupied by a sports club and used for community sport purposes being deemed rateable.

I recognise the positive contribution made by sport’s clubs in their community and on the whole, much property occupied by sports clubs is exempt from commercial rates.

The Valuation Acts are very specific about the range of exemptions that can be applied by the Commissioner.  Where a property occupier is unsure as to the position of their property being rateable or exempt, they should contact the Valuation Office by e-mail at valuationservices@valoff.ie.

There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Acts.  Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to the Valuation Office in relation to a proposed valuation.  Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of the Valuation Office.  There is also a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.