Sports Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Questions (293)

Alan Dillon

Question:

293. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of organisations that were awarded equipment-only funding under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme earlier in 2021; when they will be contacted in relation to drawing down funding; if an organisation (details supplied) can proceed and purchase equipment using its own resources; if not, if organisations should wait to make purchases until after the drawdown of their funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62500/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The club referred to by the Deputy applied for funding for sports equipment under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and was awarded a grant in August of this year. The letter of provisional allocation issued to all successful applicants, including the club in question, on 18 August and this correspondence set out the steps necessary to obtain formal approval and draw down the grant. I understand the club may not have been aware of this letter of provisional allocation due to a change in the relevant club contact point but it is a matter for relevant grantees to ensure that contact details on the Department's online application system are kept up to date.

My Department was recently approached by the new club contact and the previous correspondence with the club has been forwarded to the new contact address. Once the relevant documentation is received from the club there will be no undue delay from my Department's perspective in formally approving the grant and allowing the grant to be paid.