Written Answers. - Grant Applications. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Written Answers. - Grant Applications.

Michael Creed

Question:

1099 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the criteria used by his Department to evaluate applications for grant aid for the provision of sports facilities; if funding is available for such projects; if applications are currently being entertained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1752/01]

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

The 2001 sports capital programme was advertised in the national press on 15 and 17 December 2000. The closing date for receipt of application forms is Friday, 9 February 2001. Funding under the programme is available to assist voluntary and community organisations with the development of appropriate facilities in appropriate locations that will maximise use in terms of participation in sport and recreation.

The criteria used by my Department to evaluate applications for grant aid are outlined in section 5 of the guidelines, terms and conditions of the 2001 sports capital programme, a copy of which follows for the Deputy's information. Extract from Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of the 2001 Sports Capital Programme:

5.1. All applications will be treated on their merits and highest priority will be afforded to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation, particularly for young people. High priority projects will include those which are essential or integral to sports participation or performance, e.g. pitch development, floodlighting, dressing rooms/showers. Priority for funding under the programme will not be afforded to works which are not essential or integral to sports participation or performance, e.g. landscaping of grounds, boundary fences, equipment stores, car parks.

5.2. Applicants should note that for the purpose of the Programme, disadvantaged areas have been defined as those areas which have been designated by Government under the Operational Programme for Local, Urban and Rural Development. (Current list at Appendix 1).

5.3. Assessment criteria have been developed to help assess applications so that those offering the greatest community benefit are supported. The criteria will focus on: 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 and how such increases can be measured; 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, i.e. does the project comply with standard technical specifications from the relevant governing body and statutory authorities, possession of planning permission; the financial viability of the project, i.e. in addition to lottery funding, has the club/organisation sufficient funds or firm commitments for funding to complete the project within a realistic timeframe. Previous track record in fund raising is also taken into account; the level of local funding available. Higher rating is given to projects with a significant local contribution; 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 Ltd'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/facilities in relation to the club's or organisation's existing facilities; and the priorities for their individual sports, as identified by the national governing bodies.

Michael Creed

Question:

1100 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has received from an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork an application for grant aid towards the provision of sports facilities. [1753/01]

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

The 2001 sports capital programme was advertised in the national press on 15 and 17 December 2000. The closing date for the receipt of application forms is Friday, 9 February 2001. Should the club in question submit an application, it will be considered when grant allocations for 2001 are being made under the programme.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

1101 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the amount of funding made available to the National Community Games from 1997 to date. [1815/01]

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

Details of the grants allocated by my Department to the National Community Games from 1997 to 1999 are given on the following table. Since the establishment of the Irish Sports Council on a statutory basis in July 1999, responsibility for funding national sports bodies, including the Community Games Movement, now rests with the Council.

Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation

National Governing Body of Sport	Grant1997	Grant1998	Grant1999
National Community Games	£122,170	£131,295	£129,570

Michael Ring

Question:

1102 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if a grant can be sanctioned for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo under the sports capital programme 2001. [1856/01]

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001