Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 7

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

248 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the amount of funds received by her Department from the national lottery; the proportion, if any, of these funds that were available to local sporting organisations for the provision of facilities; and the procedures used to allocate these funds.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I would refer the Deputy to the detailed information supplied in reply to written Question No. 107 of Wednesday, 2 February 1994, regarding the national lottery funded schemes operated by my Department.

On Friday, 11 February 1994 advertisements were placed in the national daily newspapers seeking applications under the recreational facilities scheme. This advertisement sets out the criteria applying to the allocation of grants under this scheme and the procedures to be adopted by organisations or clubs wishing to receive assistance under the scheme.

When the applications have been received in my Department they will be examined and considered in strict accordance with the following criteria:

—the priority of the proposed improvements/facility in relation to the organisation's existing facilities;

—the ability of the organisation to undertake the project and claim the grant in 1994;

—the amount of local funds available;

—the availability of other facilities in the area;

—the requirement to achieve an equitable geographical spread of funds.