Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
206. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current position in respect of the release of funds under the 2018 Sports Capital Programme; the status of the funding due to a club (details supplied) given that all of the legal issues which were raised by the Office the State Solicitor were resolved more than six months ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8899/22]
View answerThe club to which the Deputy refers, was provisionally allocated a grant under the 2018 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) for security fencing and the development of a natural playing surface. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCP, due to the value of the 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. These requirements were communicated to the club at provisional allocation stage and it was made clear that formal approval could not issue until the legal requirements were finalised.
I understand that my Department’s legal advisor, the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO), has been in regular contact with the club’s solicitors, including in recent weeks, in relation to some outstanding documentation which is required to progress matters. As previously stated, it will not be possible to provide formal approval for the grant until the CSSO confirms that all legal formalities are complete. Once the CSSO confirmation is received there will be no undue delay in progressing the allocations to formal approval stage and subsequently paying the grants subject to the other necessary documentation being submitted by the club.
