Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of a sports capital appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26403/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,100 applications were submitted.  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 6 August, 2021.

The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. This represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

Unsuccessful applicants were invited to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received, including one from the organisation referenced by the Deputy. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals. The preliminary assessment of all appeals has now been complete and I plan to announce the consequent allocations shortly. 

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when submissions will be accepted for the next round of capital sports grants. [26505/22]

Jack 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 recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.  Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion.The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The 2020 round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021.  By this date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding.  This is the highest number of applications ever received.

Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. 

Currently my Department is finalising the assessment of appeals from unsuccessful applicants. The deadline for submission of appeals was Monday 4^thApril, 2022. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals. 

When the appeal process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round.  The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a list of the grants or other State supports that are available to sports clubs, including eligibility details for each grant. [26507/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to my Department's responsibilities, three schemes provide capital grant assistance for the development and improvement of sports facilities.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.  Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion.The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising the investment in disadvantaged areas.

Full details of the Programme including a copy of the latest "Guide to Making an Application" (which sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme) are available at the following link: - www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#introduction.

Funding is also provided by my Department for sports facilities under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The LSSIF is designed for projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. Full details of the LSSIF including all allocations can be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.

The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date 52 pools have been completed and three swimming pool projects remain in the programme. Exchequer support for any new swimming pool projects is now being provided under the LSSIF.

In relation to current funding for sport, this is allocated by Sport Ireland across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport.  In addition, there are funding opportunities available to sports clubs and community groups through the network of Local Sports Partnerships.