Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004
123 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications his Department received under the 2004 sports capital programme; when a decision will be made on the exact amount to be available for allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6136/04]
View answerThe national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. The 2004 sports capital programme was advertised in the national newspapers on 30 November and 1 December 2003. The closing date for receipt of applications was 16 January 2004. As I recently informed the Deputy in my replies to previous questions, a total of 1,302 applications was received before the closing date. All applications are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
I will decide soon the level of provisional grant allocations to be made this year having regard both to the quality of the applications received under the 2004 programme and the pattern of grant allocations and draw-downs on foot of earlier years' approvals.
