Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
334. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposed date for the opening of the next round of sports capital grants; and if projects that were previously funded can reapply in certain sports. [30840/23]
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 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.
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 shortly. Once completed, the Guide will be published on my Department's website. Following that, I will announce the exact date on which the 2023 round of the SCEP will open for applications. The "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round will essentially set out all of the relevant terms and conditions. Generally though, while it is not possible to provide additional funding in respect of projects (or elements of projects) where work has already commenced, there is no prohibition on applying for funding for the same overall project. Any previous funding provided will however, be considered when allocation amounts are being finalised.
