Vol. 506 No. 3
22 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when funding under the sports grants scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the number and percentage of applications from County Donegal. [15009/99]
23 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when details of sports grants will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15008/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The sports capital programme administered by my Department provides national lottery funding towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local levels. It is the primary vehicle for promoting the development of such facilities, and funding allocated under the programme assists sports clubs and voluntary and community groups to construct, refurbish, improve and equip high quality, well designed and sustainable sport and recreational sports facilities throughout the country.
A comprehensive review of the programme was undertaken by my Department in 1999 and as a result a new programme was developed with revised aims and objectives, assessment criteria and terms and conditions for grant assistance. The deadline for receipt of applications under the new programme was 12 February last. Almost 1,900 applications were received by the closing date and these are being examined at present. Given the large number of applications and the level of work involved in evaluating them, I have not been in a position to make announcements on the 1999 round of grant allocations before now. However, I hope to do so in the near future. A total of 111 applications for funding have been received from a variety of sports clubs and community groups in County Donegal. This represents 6 per cent of the total number of applications received.
While all applications will be treated on their merits, special priority will be given to proposals in respect of facilities in disadvantaged areas in line with Government policy aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation in these areas. Other factors such as equity in the spread of funding on a geographical basis and among different sports and community groups will also be taken into account in determining grant allocations. The detailed criteria to be applied in assessing applications are set out in the guidelines for the new programme which issued with the application forms.
I thank the Minister. I am glad that no decisions have been taken yet with regard to grant applications. As the Minister is aware, each of the 111 applications from County Donegal is seeking a significant amount of money. How much money is available this year? Will the Minister clarify that clear rules govern the distribution of funds, for example, in relation to disadvantaged status? He alluded to the fact that disadvantaged status is a criterion and that geographical spread is also important. Will the Minister clarify if disadvantaged status and the importance of individual applications will override the geographical consideration? Does he agree that certain areas lost out in the past although significant local contributions were raised? Does he agree there is a need for serious remedial action, particularly in peripheral disadvantaged areas? Funds should not be allocated solely in terms of geographical spread to satisfy Deputies.
The amount of money available this year will be approximately £9 million or £10 million. New assessment criteria have been rigidly applied and I understand they can amount to anything up to 120 points. The system will operate on that basis and a number of the applications do not come near the criteria for funding. However, emphasis will be placed on disadvantaged areas and the Deputy may be assured that there will be a fair and genuine geographical spread which will take account of what counties received in the past and disadvantage in specific areas. It will be focused on the criteria which will apply on this occasion.
As the Minister is from County Donegal, will he assure me that he will not feel self-conscious when he is considering the criteria and the applications from Inishowen? He is aware of the great needs and level of disadvantage which exist and the fact that money has not been allocated to the region in recent years.
I assure the Deputy that all areas, including Inishowen, will be addressed, but there is much overlapping. It is much easier to undertake a large project which involves a number of communities and towns than set up facilities in every town and village. For example, in some areas there may be six different applications from groups within a ten mile radius. This means there would be six sets of toilets, changing rooms and dressing rooms. All the money is spent on toilets, changing rooms, showers etc. There is duplication and a waste of facilities. I am trying to encourage communities to come together. It is much easier to develop one major facility than six or seven smaller projects which involve much duplication.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
