Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a sports club can apply for sports capital grants for the replacement of light bulbs in flood lights, when LED bulbs will be used instead of older bulbs for energy efficiency and cost effectiveness, given that this is existing infrastructure that is already in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63462/22]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, 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. Following the conclusion of the appeals process, the final set of allocations were announced at the end of May last year. The total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

The installation of LED floodlighting is funded under the SCEP and is specifically referenced in the "Guide to Making an Application". Numerous organisations have benefitted from SCEP funding for such floodlights and details of all allocations can be found at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.

In relation to future SCEP applications, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review has now been complete and I expect to be in a position to publish it shortly. Any recommendations arising from the Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.

I understand that energy-efficiency promoting grants are also available to sporting clubs and facilities via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Further details can be found on its website at www.seai.ie.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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438. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a date for new applications for the sports capital grant 2023; and the amount that has been allocated. [63471/22]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, 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. Following the conclusion of the appeals process, the final set of allocations were announced at the end of May last year. The total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees.

Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review has now been complete and I expect to be in a position to publish it shortly. Any recommendations arising from the Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.