Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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250. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider including equestrian centres for funding under the Sports Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45824/22]

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 €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

Under the Programme, funding has been provided to many horse riding clubs as well as to Horse Sport Ireland, the National Governing Body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It has, however, been a long standing principle of the Programme that funding is not provided to commercial entities. Obviously the provision of funding to commercial bodies would reduce the funding available for voluntary bodies, many of whom rely on government support to develop their sports facilities.

In relation to the eligibility criteria for future rounds of the SCEP, my Department has begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review, the Department will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications in the new year.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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251. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if further funding or supports will be given to Horse Sport Ireland for its high performance programmes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45840/22]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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252. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an increase in participation grants will be given to Horse Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45844/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

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 funding programmes such as the High Performance Programme and Core Funding Programme.

As decisions on the allocation of funding are a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Sport Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.