Vol. 509 No. 2
50 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if all moneys under the sports capital programme have been allocated; the proposals, if any, he has to provide additional funding in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19921/99]
Under the national lottery funded sports capital programme which is administered by my Department, a variety of sporting facilities at national, regional and local levels are grant-aided. Following a comprehensive review of the programme in 1998, a new programme with revised aims and objectives, assessment criteria and terms and conditions for grant assistance was advertised at the end of 1998. Approximately 1,900 applications were received in respect of the 1999 round of grants. Following the assessment process carried out by my Department, allocations totalling £16.59 million were made in July to almost 400 local community based projects and to six national and regional projects throughout the country.
My Department is in discussions with the GAA and the IABA regarding proposals for the development of national, regional and county venues submitted under the 1999 round of applications. I expect to make decisions on these applications in the coming weeks. These allocations will conclude the allocation process for 1999. Allocations will also be made in 2000 and 2001 under the sports capital programme.
