Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
518. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount her Department allocated for sports capital grants in 2021; and if the grant is available on an annual basis. [31082/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. A minimum of €40m will be allocated to successful applicants.
The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year.
In relation to the timing of the programme, applications were invited on an annual basis from 1998 to 2008. Subsequently, the programme was advertised for new proposals in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. A decision on the timing of the next call for proposals will be made following the completion of allocations under the current round.
