Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2004
172 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the maximum advice and support will be given regarding funding for Casino Celtic YC (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make this a priority issue. [12287/04]
View answerIn a reply to a similar question in March 2003, reference number 7855/03, concerning this club, I informed the Deputy about the national lottery funded sports capital programme which is administered by my Department and I suggested at that time that the club could apply for assistance under the 2003 sports capital programme if it had a suitable project. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
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, which is securely housed, and will remain in use for five years or more. The programme does not assist in the purchase of sites, premises or personal equipment, such as sports kits, gloves, personal protective clothing and so forth.
No application under the programme was received from the club in question under either the 2003 or 2004 programmes. The latter 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. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the evaluation of the applications received has been completed.
Should the organisation in question have a project in keeping with the basic criteria for the sports capital programme, as listed above, then it will be open to it to apply under the 2005 programme, which is likely to be advertised towards the end of this year. The club can contact the sports unit of my Department if any further information is required.
