Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
209. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any additional funding available to recipients of the 2022 tranche of the sports capital programme in order to cover the excess costs due to inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27032/23]
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. The final allocations under the 2020 round were announced on 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website. While it is not possible to provide additional funding in respect of these existing grants, it is open to all grantees to again apply for funding under the next round of the SCEP.
In this regard, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. This Review has now been published and is available on the Department’s website. My officials are now drafting the "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round to reflect the recommendations in the Review and I hope to have this finalised in the coming weeks. Once completed, the Guide will be published on my Department's website.
Furthermore, my officials and I continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to the launch of the next cycle of the SCEP. Once this engagement is complete I will announce the exact date on which the 2023 round of the SCEP will open for applications.
