asked the Minister for Finance the inter-Departmental mechanism which exists to co-ordinate all funding of projects from the national lottery so as to avoid duplication or unnecessary funding.
Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.
82.
The administration of lottery funds is a matter for the spending Departments to which allocations have been made for specific purposes.
Because of the possibility that certain projects might be eligible for assistance under both the recreational facilities scheme, operated by the Department of Education, and the amenity grants scheme operated by the Department of the Environment, specific instructions have been issued by the Department of Finance to ensure that there is no duplication or unnecessary funding.
The Department of Education deals exclusively with projects sponsored by sports clubs or youth clubs.
The Department of the Environment deals exclusively with parks, local authority amenities and local authority controlled sports/community facilities.
In the case of community sponsored projects, the following guidelines apply.
If there is a major emphasis on sport or youth, the project is the responsibility of the Department of Education.
If there is a major emphasis on social aspects, the project is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment.
The conditions of approval for the schemes require that adequate co-ordination must take place between the two Departments before approval issues for any project. In addition, before any approval issues, the Department involved must ensure that new facilities are not provided in areas which already have adequate facilities.
Detailed questions about the operation of these conditions should be directed to the Ministers responsible.