Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

26 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the basis on which lottery funding decisions under the sports capital programme are made; if the selection criteria in the project assessment reports are the sole basis on which allocation decisions are made; and, if not, the other factors taken into consideration. [21722/01]

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

All of the applications received under the sports capital programme are assessed by my Department in accordance with the selection criteria as outlined in section 5 of the guidelines, terms and conditions of the 2001 sports capital programme, a copy of which I am forwarding to the Deputy with this reply. Under the selection process special priority is given to the development of projects in disadvantaged areas and the need to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds, having regard to the range of existing facilities in each county. Where appropriate, my Department also consults with the Irish Sports Council and national governing bodies of sport on applications relating to key strategic regional or national facilities. At the end of the selection process each application receives a score which decides its order of priority within its own county.

Recommendations, based on conclusions from the selection process and having regard to the amount of funding available for distribution are made to me, as Minister, and I make the final decision on the projects to be funded and the amounts they are to be allocated.

Extract from guidelines, terms and conditions of the 2001 sports capital programme:

5.1All 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).

5.3Assessment 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 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 dis-

advantaged 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.

Liz McManus

Question:

27 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to simplify or streamline procedures for applications for grants under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22335/01]

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

I established a group to undertake a comprehensive review of the operation of the national lottery funded sports capital programme in July 1998. Based on the report and recommendations of this group, I introduced a revamped sports capital programme, incorporating revised guidelines, assessment criteria, terms and conditions, which has been operating since the 1999 programme.

I am satisfied that the new programme has been of enormous help to clubs and community organisations throughout the country, including those in disadvantaged areas to which special priority is given, in line with Government policy aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation in these areas.

The programme caters for a wide range of organisations and their requirements, covering a broad spectrum of activities in a variety of projects, which range in scale from small local clubs to large multi-purpose community venues all the way up to regional and national facilities required by national governing bodies of sport. In all, since the revamped programme was introduced in 1999, almost 5,000 applications have been received and over £99 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects.

While I have no plans to carry out another comprehensive review of the programme at this stage the operation of the programme is monitored by my Department on an ongoing basis and amended as required to ensure its continued efficiency and effectiveness.

Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 8.

Question No. 29 answered with Question No. 24.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 8.