Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position in respect of the release of monies under the 2018 sports capital programme and in particular the monies due to a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43587/21]
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 2018 round of the Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October, 2018. By that deadline, 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of 2019 with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. To date, over €24 million has been drawn down by grantees.
The club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €86,018 under the 2018 round for security fencing and the development of a natural playing surface. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCEP and due to the level of grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to execute a Deed of Covenant and Charge in order to protect the public investment in the facility. Legal formalities in relation to this grant have not yet been finalised and it will not be possible to provide formal approval for the grant until the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) confirms that all matters are in order. I understand that contacts between the CSSO and the club's solicitors are ongoing in this regard. Once the CSSO confirmation is received, there will be no undue delay in paying the grant subject to the other necessary documentation being submitted by the club.
