Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
27. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of sports capital grants awarded that were drawn down for each local authority for the past three years; the amount that has not been drawn down for each of the past three years; if she will reinstate an allocation for individual boxing clubs to apply directly for sports capital grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46657/21]
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 Programme is open for applications from, inter alia, sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021 and the final allocations under this round are expected to be announced before the end of the year.
Because of the nature of the Programme it can take grantees a number of years to draw down their grants. Reasons in this regard include the need to ensure the necessary legal requirements are met, the requirement for grantees go through appropriate tender procedures and to ensure the necessary own-funding elements to advance the project are in place.
Details of all allocations, including those to Local Authorities, made under the SCEP since 2002 are published at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. Likewise details of all payments, including those to Local Authorities, made under the SCEP since 2011 are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/.
In relation to boxing clubs, all boxing clubs are entitled to apply directly for Sports Capital and Equipment funding up to a value of €150,000 for local projects. In cases where a club does not own a premises, it is still permissible to apply for capital grants up to a value of €50,000. A copy of the latest "Guide to Making an Application" which sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#introduction.
