Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
793. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether a club can make an application for a new sports capital grant in the upcoming scheme if the prior successful application or award is not yet completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37745/23]
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 2023 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (2023) closed for applications last Friday (8th September). A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications.
Work is now underway on drafting the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this finalised in the coming weeks. Once this is published, the detailed assessment work can commence.
Generally, 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. The "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round, published on the Departmental website, sets out all of the relevant terms and conditions. Any previous funding provided will, however, be considered when allocation amounts are being finalised.
