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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Feb 1988

Vol. 377 No. 3

Written Answers. - Recreational Grant.

144.

asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the capital grant for Star Rovers Club; and when this grant will be approved and paid.

A grant under my Department's Capital Grant Scheme for the Provision of Recreational Facilities has not been agreed for Star Rovers A.F.C., Limerick.

Before the availability of a grant for the project in question can be considered, it will be necessary for the club to study the leaflet, of which details are given below, outlining the terms of the Capital Grant scheme and, if their proposal appears to conform to those terms, to complete the attached application form and return it to the Department.

I must stress, however, that the keen demand for the relatively limited funds available means that financial assistance cannot be presumed in respect of an application which may be submitted by any group.

Following are the contents of the leaflet:

Department of Education

Capital Grant Scheme for the Provision of Recreational Facilities

1. Objective of Scheme

This scheme is designed to assist and encourage local initiatives in the provision of recreational, leisure and community facilities (excluding swimming pools and environmental works). The provision of indoor and outdoor facilities are eligible for consideration under this scheme. The scheme is open to all voluntary community organisations wishing to provide recreational facilities and thereby promote the greater availability of recreational and leisure opportunities for the community.

2. Conditions for Participation

(i) Site Acquisition

Applicant organisations must provide a suitable site for the development. The site must be owned or held under long-term lease (not less than 25 years from time of application) by the applicant. In determining the suitability of a site the Department will take into account its proximity to existing facilities and its accessibility in terms of the potential use of the proposed facility by the community and schools. Grants will not be made available towards the purchase of sites or premises.

(ii) Grant Limits and Local Contribution

Grantees will be required to provide a local financial contribution of at least 30 per cent of construction cost of the proposed project but in very exceptional circumstances a contribution as low as 20 per cent will be acceptable (in such cases full particulars of these circumstances must be furnished). The level of grant-aid will be at the discretion of the Department. Grants will only be considered in respect of work to be done by recognised building contractors and will not exceed £100,000. Under no circumstances will the grant exceed 80 per cent of construction costs for the proposed project, as agreed in advance by the Department. Grants will not be increased in line with increased building costs.

Where the development of playing pitches is proposed a grant maximum of £20,000 will apply in the case of any single project or group. All other conditions of grant assistance stipulated in this schedule shall apply in the case of such developments.

Satisfactory evidence of the ready availability of the required local contribution amount must be produced prior to the confirmation of grant-aid by the Department.

(iii) Plans

Plans for the proposed development must be prepared and submitted to the Department. The Department will not be responsible for any costs incurred in this regard. Each development must proceed in accordance with the design and costs agreed by the Department.

(iv) Planning Permission

Applicants will be required to secure planning permission and by-law approval for the proposed development. The Department will not be responsible for any costs incurred in this regard.

(v) Construction of Project

Grantees will be responsible for all arrangements for the construction of their project. The project must be put out to tender and subsequently executed by building contract. If it is proposed to pass over the lowest or any tender the Department must be notified before any other tender is examined. Failure to accept the lowest suitable tender may result in reduction or cancellation of grant aid.

Satisfactory arrangements must be made by the grantee for the professional supervision of construction works. The Department will not be liable for professional fees incurred.

Grants will not be provided towards work performed by voluntary labour or under Government training schemes.

Where proposed construction works exceed £100,000 building contractors will be required to secure an insurance bond in respect of such projects in advance of the award of a contract.

Tax clearance procedures (i.e. production of a current C.2 Certificate of tax clearance) in respect of contractors proposed for selection must be complied with in advance of any contractual commitments being made on the part of the grantee.

(vi) Commencement of Building Work

Reasonable progress towards the commencement of building work on the project must be in evidence within six months from the date of provisional allocation of grant aid. The onus will be on the grantee to show evidence of satisfactory progress towards project construction state. In the absence of such evidence the Department retains the right to withdraw the offer of grant assistance.

(vii) Management and Maintenance

The grantee will be responsible for making satisfactory arrangements for the management and maintenance of the proposed facility.

(viii) Guarantee of Community Access and Continued Usage

The grantee will be required to submit a written guarantee that the completed facility will be made fully available to the local community. It will also be necessary to provide an undertaking protecting the Department's financial interest in the facility and guaranteeing the repayment of grants should it cease to operate or should a change of usage occur.

(ix) Insurance

The grantee will be required to arrange for the provision of adequate insurance cover for the completed facility, against fire and all other insurable risks, with an approved insurance company and to pay all necessary premiums. The insurance will be for such amount as will provide cover for the full re-instatement value of the facility, together with a sum for professional fees.

It will also be necessary for the grantee to maintain satisfactory public liability insurance in respect of users, general public, etc.

Groups wishing to avail of grant aid must be in a position to comply in full with the conditions for participation in the scheme outlined above. All applications will be considered on their merits, but special consideration will be given to cases where an early commencement of building work is possible.

3. Payment of Grant

Grants will be paid to approved projects following submission of architects' certificates/builders' invoices in respect of work completed. Grant instalments will issue at a rate established by the Department having regard to the level of grant approved.

The Department will retain a proportion of the approved grant amount against satisfactory completion of the proposed development works.

A grant will not be payable in respect of projects being grant assisted by any other Government Department.

4. Project Visits

Approved projects will be subject to occasional visits by officials of the Department.

5. Application Forms

Application forms for completion in respect of eligible projects are available from The Secretary, Department of Education, Youth Section, 11th Floor, Hawkins House, Dublin 2.

All questions on the form must be answered and failure to disclose full details will render applications ineligible for consideration.

6. Acknowledgment

This grant scheme is being funded from the surplus proceeds of the National Lottery. All grant assisted projects must display an acknowledgment that the projects have been aided by the National Lottery.

November, 1987.

APPLICATION FOR CAPITAL GRANT FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

NOTE: This form must be completed in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the accompanying memorandum.

NOTE: FAILURE TO FURNISH FULL AND CORRECT INFORMATION WILL RENDER THE APPLICATION INVALID

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