Sports Capital Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2006

Thursday, 18 May 2006

Questions (139)

Tony Gregory

Question:

139 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of sports capital grants paid to date out of public funds to a club (details supplied) in Dublin 7; the years in which these grants were paid; the amount of sports capital grants paid to date out of public funds to this club for rebuilding or refurbishing its stadium; the years in which these grants were paid; if the club will be obliged to repay these grants if the stadium ceases to be used as a football stadium after it has been sold by the club to a property development company; and if, in view of discussions his Department has had with the Football Association of Ireland regarding the implementation of the Genesis Report, he will make a statement on the matter. [18915/06]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The Department allocated a total of €1,100,750 in sports capital grants to the club in question over the years 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005, all of which were towards developments at the club's grounds. The club drew down the following payments in accordance with the requirements of the grants scheme:

Year	Amount Paid
	€
1999	603,125
2000	180,938
2001	161,892
2002	140,655
2005	14,140
Total	1,100,750

One of the requirements of sports capital funding is that, for accumulated grants of more than €120,000 a Deed of Covenant and Charge be invoked. This Deed provides, inter alia, for a repayment of the grant in the event of the grant-aided property not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated. The required Deeds are in place in respect of the grants awarded to this club.

The Genesis Report pointed out that the ultimate target for the Eircom League would be to have a strong, superior product with attractive facilities leading to increased support, higher levels of sponsorship and an improvement in income for the league and its clubs. In terms of facilities specifically, the report highlighted the need for Dublin clubs to consider ground sharing. In that context FAI Ireland is engaged in ongoing discussions with the main Dublin clubs to identify the options and the main issues for the clubs concerned.

While I support the recommendations of the Genesis Report, ultimately any decision regarding Bohemians FC moving from Dalymount is a matter for the club and its members to decide.