Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the next round of sports capital funding will be open to applications. [9717/23]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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255. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the funding ceiling for clubs will be raised in the forthcoming round of sports capital funding. [9718/23]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will clarify whether a club that has already been approved for a sports capital grant can repurpose this grant to an alternative purpose, provided the alternative purpose is eligible for funding. [9719/23]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a club can reapply for a second tranche of sports capital funding for a project it already received funding for in 2021 (details supplied). [9720/23]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 257, inclusive, together.

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.

The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage and my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage their grants. This requires detailed engagement with all grantees. In relation to any extensions to timelines or requests for "change of purpose" for grants, my Department continues to adopt a sympathetic and reasonable approach provided any new proposal also adheres to the terms and conditions of the SCEP.

With regard to the timing of the next round, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. The Review is nearing completion and I hope to publish it shortly. Amongst the items being considered as part of the Review is whether it is necessary to increase the amount that applicants can apply for. 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 additional funding for a project with an existing provisional allocation, funding can be sought for any sports project provided work has not already commenced. If work has not commenced, an application can be submitted but the previous allocation will form part of the consideration if an additional grant amount is being recommended. Previous funding awarded to an organisation under the SCEP is also considered when scoring all applications.