Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she can facilitate those who have previously been awarded capital sports grants and have not been in a position to complete the projects due to Covid-19 or other related issues; if arrangements will be made to ensure they be given an extension of time to meet their requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47845/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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While the priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage, my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage the grants awarded. This support entails, inter alia, detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees. Where projects demonstrate reasons for unavoidable delays, my Department's approach is to accommodate reasonable requests for extensions.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to offer capital sports grants in the current or future years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47846/22]

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.  

The latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The final set of allocations under this round (on foot of capital appeals) was announced on Tuesday 31 May. Ultimately, a record-breaking allocation of €166.6 million was awarded under the latest round of the Programme.

The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, of which there are almost 2,900,  to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. Following completion of the appeal process, my Department has also begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round.  Following the completion of the review, I will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year.