Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if, in the context of the allocation of recreational and amenity grants from the proceeds of the national lottery, special consideration will be given to areas with high population levels which do not have adequate facilities at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16078/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the total grant aid he has allocated or intends to allocate in respect of the provision of sporting and recreational facilities in County Kildare in the current year; if he will place special emphasis on those areas of greatest need having regard to requirements and lack of facilities at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16079/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The sports capital programme for 2000 was widely advertised and over 1,600 applications were received by the closing date.

All applications are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines which accompanied the application form. The criteria are as follows: the extent to which the project, in terms of growth targets, will increase the levels of active participation in sport-recreational sport and-or result in improved standards of sporting performance; the extent to which the project, in terms of growth targets, will serve to increase participation in disadvantaged areas; the technical merits of the project, that is, does the project comply with standard technical specifications from the relevant governing body and statutory authorities; the financial viability of the project, that is, in addition to lottery funding, has the club-organisation sufficient funds or firm commitments for funding to complete the project within a realistic timeframe; the level of local funding available; given realistic projections of income from the project, the extent to which the applicant will be able to maintain the project after completion; the level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area, as defined by ADM Limited's indicators, and the current and planned levels of sport and-or recreational sport facilities in the area; the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds, having regard to the range of existing facilities in each county; the extent to which applicants have consulted with other clubs, community groups, schools and the local authority in developing their proposals and the outcome of these consultations; in the case of projects aimed at attracting people from disadvantaged areas, the strategies to be used to attract them; the need to achieve an equitable spread of funds among different sports and community groups; the priority of proposed improvements/facility in relation to the club-organisation's existing facilities; and the priorities for their individual sports, as identified by the NGB.

I intend to announce the 2000 grant allocations at the earliest possible date following completion of this assessment process under way in my Department. Until the assessment has been completed, it is not possible to indicate which projects in County Kildare will be awarded grants under this years programme.