Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
266 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he expects to be in a position to offer grant aid or other financial assistance to voluntary groups or agencies in 2004 from proceeds of the national lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10878/04]
View answerThe national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting clubs and organisations and to voluntary 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. A total of 1,304 applications were received before the closing date and these are currently 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 2004 programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
My Department's Estimates for 2004 provide €63.6 million for payment of capital grants in respect of the grants to be allocated in 2004 and for those allocated in previous years for which funding had not been drawn down in full to date but would be during 2004.
In addition, my Department funds the Irish Sports Council, ISC, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. Funding for sports and recreation organisations is provided through the ISC. The financial provision for the ISC from my Department's Estimates was increased by 9% to €30.75 million for 2004, of which €29 million is funded through the national lottery to the ISC for the implementation of the policies and programmes established to deliver on three major strategies: increased participation; developing performance and achieving excellence.
