Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
467 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the sources of funding that are available towards sports other than the national lottery grants for a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11439/04]
View answerThe only funding available from my Department towards sports and sports related capital projects for individual clubs and organisations is the national lottery funded sports capital programme, which has seen almost €270 million allocated in grant funding to over 3,500 projects since 1998. Similarly, programmes and initiatives funded by the Irish Sports Council aimed at the development of sport are also funded from the proceeds of the national lottery.
The club should note, however, that section 847a of the Taxes Consolidation Act provides for a scheme for tax relief for relevant donations to an approved sports body for the funding of approved projects. Clubs must first provide relevant certification from the Revenue Commissioners that their tax affairs are in order. Approved sports status can then be awarded by my Department, towards suitable projects, allowing for tax relief to be claimed by the club on donations that exceed the minimum qualifying threshold of €250 per annum. Details of the tax relief scheme are available on my Department's website at www.irlgov.ie/arts-sport-tourism.
468 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if and when Celbridge Athletic Club, Celbridge, County Kildare, will receive a grant from the proceeds of the national lottery fund; if so, the amount of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11474/04]
View answerThe national lottery funded sports capital programme, 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 club in question was provisionally allocated a grant of €70,000 under the 2003 sports capital programme, none of which has been drawn down by the club to date. 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, including one from the organisation in question. All applications 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 programme as soon as possible after this evaluation process has been completed.
