Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.

Damien English

Question:

30 Mr. English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will give preferential treatment to applicants for national lottery grants that will provide facilities for local schools including outdoor physical education facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding for sporting and recreational facilities and equipment. Projects under the programme must be directly related to the provision of sport 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, namely if it is securely housed, and will remain in use for five years or more.

Under the programme, applications can be submitted by the following types of organisations: voluntary and community organisations, including sports clubs; in certain circumstances, schools, colleges and local authorities; and national governing bodies of sport and third level education institutions, where it is evident that the proposed facility will contribute to the regional and-or national sporting infrastructure.

All applications are treated on their merits and highest priority is afforded to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation. Applications from schools and colleges must be made jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must: provide for significant levels of usage by the local community during periods when the facilities are not being used by the school itself, at least 30 hours per week throughout the year; and demonstrate that the facilities concerned will meet an identified deficiency in that locality, as formally agreed with other local groups and-or the local authority.

I should point out to the Deputy that responsibility for the provision of facilities at first and second level schools rests with the Department of Education and Science. While I do not propose to prioritise schools in the context of the sport capital programme, any application received which conforms with the requirements of the programme will be considered sympathetically in accordance with the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.

Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 22.