Vol. 446 No. 4
166 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education the total amount of national lottery funding distributed by her Department under the youth and sport grant scheme during 1994; the amount she will allocate during 1995; the application procedure which should be followed by interested groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2380/94]
The total national lottery funding allocated to my Department for youth and sport in 1994 was £32.275 million. The 1995 allocation, which is being considered in the context of the annual Estimates for the Public Services, has not yet been decided.
The youth and sport and special projects grants are distributed by the vocational education committees in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department and interested groups should apply directly to their local vocational education committee. Annual grants are made to the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Olympic Council of Ireland on the basis of applications forms submitted.
All organisations seeking grant aid in respect of capital projects must provide information on site availability, local funds, estimated costs and other similar facilities in the area. This information forms the basis for the assessment of the application in relations to the provision of grant aid.
The two main grant aiding programmes in respect of youth affairs are the youth service grant scheme and the grant scheme for special projects to assist disadvantaged youth. Applications are received from interested groups through the national youth organisations and the other grant-administering agencies.
