Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is examining ways to improve accessibility and fairness in the application process for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, particularly to support community groups and clubs in areas of higher deprivation that may lack the administrative capacity or resources of organisations in more affluent areas; if his Department is aware of any evidence or analysis indicating that communities in lower-income or higher-deprivation areas are less successful in securing funding through the programme; and whether this has been considered in the development of future rounds or targeted supports under the scheme. [34998/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

For all regional capital applications, the scoring system was designed to, inter alia, reward applications from disadvantaged areas, applications that showed evidence of sharing and that had engaged with the planning process. Recommended allocations were calculated using the same methodology used for previous rounds and were based on the assessment score and the maximum valid grant.

The top scoring 45 applications received at least 95% of their maximum valid grant and only the bottom scoring 2 applications received less than 50% of their maximum valid grant.

In relation to local applications, given the scale of funding available and the time required to assess the applications, it was agreed that officials would focus on the validity of applications, on ruling out invalid applications or elements thereof. Recommended allocation amounts for valid applications were then calculated using the Pobal index of deprivation as the primary calculation factor.

The 500 applications from the most disadvantaged areas received a minimum of 90% of their maximum valid grant and only 1 application received less than 50% of the maximum valid grant.

As was the case in 2018, 2020 and 2023 allocations, applicants that charged once-off entrance fees (in addition to annual membership fees) of over €1,000 or annual membership fees of €1,500 or more were excluded.

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. The review will consider whether any further improvements can be made to ensure that communities in lower-income or higher-deprivation areas are successful in securing funding. I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.