Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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440. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the other grants or schemes that are available for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63862/22]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, 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. Schools are eligible to apply for funding once the application is made jointly with a sports club. 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 the investment in disadvantaged areas. Details of how to register for the Programme and a copy of the latest "Guide to Making an Application" can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/

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. A significant number of school-led projects benefitted and details of all allocations including those to schools can be found at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.

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.