Under the 2000 sports capital programme, 1,650 applications were received in my Department. Following assessment of these applications, grants were allocated to most of the 677 projects in July. The grants to 64 boxing clubs were only recently announced following resolution of outstanding issues between the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association in relation to the council's antidoping programme.
The guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme require that applicants have, generally, a minimum local contribution of 20% if the project is in a disadvantaged area as is the case in this instance, but normally 30% before an application will be deemed eligible for consideration. When the assessment of the application from the club in question was being carried out by my Department, it transpired that the applicant did not have the minimum level of funding required and it was therefore deemed to be ineligible. The club has been advised accordingly.
All funds available under the 2000 sports capital programme have now been allocated. However, I am planning to announce details of the 2001 sports capital programme next month and it will be open to the club in question to re-apply if it so wishes.
