Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the sporting organisations throughout the country that were impeded from meeting their targets arising from previous sport grant allocations and continue to be allowed to rearrange their schedules on foot of departmental approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37253/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department remain in contact with the various applicants for major and minor sports grants throughout Kildare north in an effort to ensure maximum response to an area experiencing rapid population increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37255/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 169 together.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the Government's most important vehicle for the delivery of new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout the country.

Since 1998, over 13,000 projects have benefited from SCEP funding, 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 and groups that are currently underrepresented in terms of participation.

My Department has a dedicated team of officials that manages every aspect of the programme and it is contactable five days a week to help grantees and potential applicants to understand and navigate all aspects of the programme. Where a grantee is having difficulties in drawing down a grant within the allotted time period (normally 2 years), the Department takes a flexible approach to assisting grantees to meet the terms and conditions of the programme and in drawing down their grants.

I would advise any organisation with an outstanding grant or interested in applying under future rounds of the programme to contact the SCEP team. Contact details are published on

In relation to the 2023 SCEP, in May this year I allocated €26 million to equipment-only applications and Minister Martin and I hope to announce allocations for capital projects soon.

On 29 May 2024, Minister Martin and I were pleased to confirm at least €250 million is to be made available for capital projects under the 2023 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. This record allocation will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities across the country.