The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
When the 2012 Programme was advertised, my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding. Unfortunately, this application did not meet these requirements on 3 separate grounds and hence was deemed invalid and could not be considered for funding.
Firstly, applicants applying for a capital grant had to provide a letter confirming that they had some security of tenure to the land where the facility was to be developed. The club referred to by the Deputy provided an unsigned management license which did not fulfil this requirement. Secondly, the club did not provide evidence that planning permission was not required or that it had been obtained or applied for. Finally, the club did not sign the application form as required.
A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Details on how applications under the Programme were assessed is set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question number 355 answered on 20 December 2012.
