The 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.
A grant of €150,000 was allocated to the organisation in question, under the 2003 sports capital programme and this grant is still available to the club. The grant allocation is subject to the terms and conditions of the programme, including the execution of a deed of covenant and charge, which provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated.
My Department's legal advisers, the Chief State Solicitor's Office, CSSO, deal with the grantee's solicitor in executing this deed. I understand that the CSSO is awaiting the required documentation from the organisation's solicitor and no payment in respect of the grant can be made until the deed of covenant of charge is executed.
Several other documents are also required by my Department, including tenders, tax clearance certification for the applicant and its chosen contractor and planning permission documentation. The organisation in question has been informed of such requirements.