Vol. 560 No. 2
6 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount paid out in 2002 under the sports capital programme; the way in which this compares to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2044/03]
Under the national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Grantees must meet the requirements as directed by my Department in accordance with the programme's guidelines, terms and conditions and payments are made on foot of required documentation and invoices or certificates of payment received, which must be for work beginning after the date of grant allocation. In 2002, payments amounting to over €43.2 million were made by my Department to projects which were allocated grants under the programme in 2002 and in previous years. This represents an increase of 60% on the 2001 total of almost €27 million and an increase of some 440% on the 2000 total of just over €8 million.
I do not wish to query the concept of the grants. I fully appreciate that many clubs and associations benefit from them each year. However, I am concerned about whether funding is being invested in deprived areas. In many instances, clubs are cherrypicking the best of the youth in a particular area and leaving problems behind. Does the Minister propose to review the guidelines to see if the grant system has been successful in terms of what was originally envisaged? We all know the benefits it has brought – I am not arguing about them – but I wonder if we are getting to the root of problems in society. Are we providing facilities to deal with that or are these grants not applicable to this purpose?
As I have already indicated, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of grant aid being made available. Since 1998, the amount of grant aid has reached some €213 million. With regard to whether or not it is getting into deprived areas and areas of disadvantage, we have decided to have a review of the scheme and an audit of the facilities. This is being done with a view to seeing where gaps exist and whether and how they can be filled. Once this group has carried out its review, we will probably embark on a strategic plan which will enable us to reach the objective to which Deputy Wall aspires.
Of the amounts allocated in 2000 and 2001, how much has been drawn down to date?
My understanding is that the specific sports capital programme payment figure for the year 2000 was €8,010,983 and in 2001 it was €26,993,629.
How much of the total allocated was actually drawn down? There seems to be a problem with grants being allocated and not being immediately drawn down because of some clubs' difficulties in obtaining matching funding. They also encounter other difficulties.
People encounter difficulties, but the Department is as helpful as possible in that regard. Sometimes there are inevitable delays with deeds of trust, planning permissions and various other requirements which have not been met. However, where the criteria have been met, payment is relatively swift.
Does the Minister have a figure for the amount of funding actually allocated?
The payments figures for 2000 and 2001 were €8,010,983 and €26,993,629, respectively.
What were the allocated figures for those years?
The amount for this year is €60 million. I do not have the exact allocation for the years in question other than to tell the Deputy there was a substantial increase in each of the years and that there has been a major draw-down of funds.
There is a gap.
Is the Minister's Department carrying out the review to which he referred? Is it possible that people or groups can make submissions to the committee that is to carry out the review?
Submissions are not envisaged. The group will review and audit the facilities and report back.
