Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support a matter (details supplied). [57194/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to my Department's responsibilities, 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, including many football developments, have now benefited from 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 the investment in disadvantaged areas. Priority is also given to capital works that promote access to sports facilities (including dressing rooms and toilets) to persons with disability.

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 allocations under this latest round were announced in May of this year and the total allocation of over €166 million represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. My Department is now undertaking 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 hope to announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year.

All organisations (including the club to which the Deputy refers) that are registered on the Sports Capital & Equipment applications portal will receive a notification when the new scheme is launched.