Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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273. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she intends to open the sports capital programme for new applications; if she will clarify the situation where potential applicants under the sports capital scheme who wish to proceed with works in 2023 if permissible after they have submitted their application without jeopardising their application from consideration for grant aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8675/23]

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. Thousands of projects have been completed under the scheme and the Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The final grants under the latest round were announced were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Details of all allocations, on a county basis, can be found on the Department's website. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant draw down stage.

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 is complete and I met last week with the Review team to finalise this work. I expect to be in a position to publish this Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the finalised 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.

Regarding advancement of works already underway, it is a long established condition and specified in the "Guide to Making an Application" that the SCEP cannot fund any works that have already commenced. It is however, open to any applicant to undertake a phased approach to their development plans and potential applicants should consider this when preparing any future SCEP application.