Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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331. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects the review of the 2021 sports capital and equipment programme to be published; when she expects that a new programme will open for applications; the estimated budget that will be available for allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54318/22]

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 2020 round of the 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 the 2020 round were announced on Tuesday 31 May 2022 and the total allocation of €166.6 million represented the highest level ever made under the SCEP.

Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. Drafting of the Review is at an advanced stage and will be published shortly. Any recommendations arising from the Review will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following publication 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.

In relation to the funding available to allocate, I will continue to engage with my colleague, Minister Michael McGrath to maximise the total funding envelope available for the Programme in the years ahead. Clearly the level of demand will be a key determinant but very effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable.