Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons a grant application from a club (details supplied) was refused; when this GAA club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification that is required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 25 September Minister Martin and I announced €230 million in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).

Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

The majority of invalid applications failed on the grounds that the applicant failed to provide the correct documentation at application or when given a second chance to do so. Unsuccessful applicants will be sent an email in the coming week with details of why their application was deemed invalid or why the majority of their grant sought was rejected. Those applicants will also be given the opportunity to appeal the decision if they believe that the Department has made an error in its assessment.

Department officials will be available to assist applicants with any clarifications required if they wish to proceed with an appeal.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons a grant application from a club (details supplied) was refused; when this club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39301/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 25 September Minister Martin and I announced €230m in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).

Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

The majority of invalid applications failed on the grounds that the applicant failed to submit the correct documentation at application or when given a second chance to do so. Unsuccessful applicants will be sent an email in the coming week with details of why their application was deemed invalid or why the majority of their grant sought was rejected. Those applicants will also be given the opportunity to appeal the decision if they believe that the Department has made an error in its assessment.

Department officials will be available to assist applicants with any clarifications required if they wish to proceed with an appeal.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

120. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a restriction on the funding of indoor swing rooms in golf clubs under the sports capital programme funding; if so, the rationale for this restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39309/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The guide to making an application under the current round (2023) of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme), which is available on my Department's website, sets out that funding is restricted to projects that are sporting in nature. To help determine if a project is sporting in nature the Council of Europe definition of sport is used: “All forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aims at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being and at forming social relationships.”

The 2023 round was the first time that applications for indoor swing rooms at golf clubs were submitted and these were not considered as a priority for funding. In line with previous rounds, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund and the terms and conditions applying.