Cecilia Keaveney
Question:172 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there is grant aid available from his Department for sports equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6015/03]
Written Answers - Sports Capital Programme.
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sports and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Projects must be directly related to the provision of sports and recreation facilities and be of a capital nature, which, for the purpose of the programme, is defined as: expenditure on the improvement or construction of an asset and includes any costs directly incurred in this process; and purchase of permanently based sports equipment, that is, it is securely housed and will remain in use for five years or more.
In relation to funding for sports equipment, it should be noted that the programme does not assist in the purchase of personal equipment, such as sports kits, gloves, shoes-boots or personal protective clothing etc.
I intend to advertise the 2003 sports capital programme at the end of March, from which time application forms and guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme will be available.