Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
199. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount of funds allocated per county to applicants under the under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme since 27 June 2020, by county in tabular form. [60280/22]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.
Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. Consequent allocations on foot of successful appeals amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday 31 May. The total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. A list of all allocations, arranged on a county basis, under all recent rounds of the SCEP (including the 2020 round) is published on my Department's website at: - www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review has now been complete and contains further statistical information. I expect to publish this Review shortly.
