Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 2

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to (a) an application from North Kildare Rugby Football Club for grant aid from the proceeds of the national lottery for the purpose of extending the facilities at the club to a wide and growing catchment area and (b) the need to favourably respond to such a request given the recreational requirements of the area; if favourable consideration is being given to this request in the current year or in 1992; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Written Answers. - Maynooth (County Kildare) Post-Primary School Facilities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a submission made to her Department for the provision of a swimming pool and other recreational facilities at Maynooth post-primary school, County Kildare, and funded jointly by the school authorities and the public in the area; her views on the merits of the case made; if she will provide extra funds for the provision of these facilities now or in 1992; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 86 together.

As the Deputy is aware my Department's capital grant scheme for the provision of recreational facilities was amalgamated with the amenity grants scheme operated by the Department of the Environment. Under the new arrangements grants are now allocated by the Minister for the Environment to projects recommended by local authorities who are responsible for processing applications.

However, an application submitted by Maynooth Community Council for the provision of a sports complex including a swimming pool was forwarded to Kildare County Council in January 1990 for their consideration under these new arrangements.

No application for capital funding has been received by my Department from the North Kildare Rugby Football Club since the transfer of responsibility for the scheme to the Department of the Environment.

All applications of this nature now fall due for consideration under the amenity grant scheme mentioned above and any applications received by my Department for capital funding are forwarded directly to the relevant local authorities.