Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.

John Connor

Question:

28 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that announcements on the destination of some national lottery funds under her Department's recreational facilities scheme are already being made by members of the Oireachtas whose parties are represented in Government; and if she will make a statement on the procedures for informing members of the Oireachtas of the destination of these funds in any constituency in advance.

John Connor

Question:

39 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Education the criteria for disbursement of national lottery funding under the recreational facilities scheme currently under consideration in her Department; if community voluntary groups will be given priority over private and semiprivate groups who often receive funding for their projects from other national bodies.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 39 together.

I am not aware of any announcements having been made in relation to the allocation of grants under the recreational facilities scheme. I cannot understand how that could be the case as no decisions on the allocation of funds in respect of any projects have yet been made.

My Department is presently assessing almost 1,300 applications which have been received and a sub committee of Cospoir, the National Sports Council, will be established to monitor the selection process and to recommend projects for funding. Following this process, which will be completed as soon as possible, the list of grant allocations will be formally announced by the Minister of State at my Department and all applicants will also be notified by my Department.

The recreational facilities scheme is specifically designed to assist voluntary community organisations in the provision of, improvements to and equipping of recreational, leisure and community facilities. Applications from voluntary community organisations will be given priority as it is a condition for grant aid under the scheme that the grantee organisation undertakes to provide for community access to the facility. Private commercial organisations are ineligible for consideration under the scheme.

The advertisement in the National Papers on 11 February 1994, inviting applications for assistance under the scheme, specifically outlined the criteria for the selection of projects which included the priority of the proposed improvement/facility in relation to the organisation's existing facilities, the ability of the organisation to undertake the project and claim the grant in 1994, the amount of local funds available, the availability of the other facilities in the area and the requirement to achieve an equitable geographical distribution of funds.