Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
668. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a licence from a local authority rather than a lease is acceptable for an application to comply with the terms of the Capital Sports Grant Scheme 2014; in the event that it is, the terms that would be required from such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2941/14]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) aim to strike a balance between the need to protect the State's investment in sports facilities and the need to allow grants to be drawn down in an efficient and timely manner.
In 2012 I was pleased to amend the previous terms and conditions to allow SCP applicants that did not own their land or have a long lease to apply for grants of up to €25,000 towards capital works. This change allowed many clubs to access SCP funding for capital works for the first time.
If the land, where a proposed facility is to be located, is owned by a Local Authority and the club does not have a lease, they may apply jointly with the Local Authority for a grant. This is the option chosen by some Local Authorities and clubs.
However, if the club wishes to apply in their own right for a capital grant greater than €25,000, they must have title to the site. Licences are not accepted as evidence of title. This approach is consistent with advice received from the Department's legal advisor, the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.
