Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2012
11Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the date in early 2012 on which a new round of the sports capital programme will be launched; the amount of funding available for same; the way local sporting organisations should apply for such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8600/12]
View answer29Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to re-establish a sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8620/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 29 together.
I have already replied on this matter. I recently announced that I will be advertising two new rounds of the sports capital programme between now and 2016. I am currently making the necessary arrangements with a view to launching the first round in the coming weeks. The advertisement of the new round and the amount to be allocated will be decided in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Does Deputy Ellis wish to comment?
I will allow another Deputy to contribute.
Is there money outstanding under the previous round of the sports capital programme? If so, how much?
In 2011, there was €55.5 million outstanding. In 2008, this figure was €191 million. We have made great progress on the basis that a number of clubs and organisations are not drawing down funding simply because it would be very difficult in the current climate to obtain matching funding for their projects, which were conceived at the time of the Celtic tiger and were, therefore, expensive. We are pleased with the outstanding figure. The new round will be open in the next few weeks.
