Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2018
353. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he sought legal advice regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a college (details supplied) in 2017 and or 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/18]
View answerWhile the general terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) were drawn up in consultation with the Department's legal advisors in the Chief State Solicitor's Office, and advice was obtained from the Department’s Legal Adviser in relation to the proposed approach to the appeals process, legal advice was not sought in relation to any one grant application or any one appeal.
A provisional allocation has been made to the organisation in question under the 2017 round of the SCP. As is the norm for all grants under the SCP, prior to formal allocation stage, all grantees will be required to give a legal guarantee confirming, inter alia, that the facility will be kept in sporting use and will remain available to any relevant sports club involved in the application. Any other legal requirements are checked at this formal allocation stage and liaison with the CSSO is undertaken as necessary. No payments are made to any grant under the SCP until all relevant legal requirements are met.
