Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Questions (742, 743)

Brendan Smith

Question:

742. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the conditions on which national lottery and or sports grants are issued; if there is any clawback conditions involved in relation to a sports club and or community facility which subsequently becomes a private commercial organisation; if claw-back exists, the number of years for which it exists; if the claw-back is graduated, if details of same can be outlined; the period in years after which the grant allocation is beyond claw-back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/13]

Brendan Smith

Question:

743. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the various sports grants paid to sports and or community club as per (details supplied); how far back his Department records go; and if a statement can be made on the matter as part of the club has now become a commercial business with no formal connection to the club; if the grants should be repaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 743 together.

Grants allocated under the Sports Capital Programme are allocated to various clubs and sports organisations on condition that they retain the grant aided facility in sporting use for at least 15 years in the case of capital works, or in the case of sports equipment that the equipment is used for at least 5 years. The Department may request repayment of all or part of a grant if these conditions are not fulfilled. For example, in the case of grants for capital works, the amount repayable decreases by 1/15th or 6.6% for each year that the conditions of the grant are fulfilled, and after 15 years has elapsed the club or organisation has no further liability to the Department.

The organisation referred to by the Deputy was allocated €5,079 in 1995 and €7,618 in 2001.  This latter grant was withdrawn.  The Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation was formed in 1998 and records are incomplete for the period prior to 1998. Given the 15 year rule for keeping facilities in sporting use in the case of grants for capital works, and 5 years for equipment grants, the Department does not regard the club as having any possible liability to the Department.